‘I coached Arsenal flop and World Cup star – now I’m working in McDonalds’
A former football manager who once coached an Arsenal flop has had quite the dramatic career switch
Former Arsenal star Serge Gnabry’s ex-coach has changed careers completely after swapping football for McDonalds. Alexander Nouri managed the now-Bayern Munich star at Werder Bremen during the 2016-17 season, leading the club to a miraculous escape from relegation thanks to an 11-match unbeaten run, which included nine victories.
Their superb league form towards the business end of the season – which included ex-Arsenal ace Gnabry scoring 11 league goals – eventually saw the Bundesliga outfit finish eighth. However, Nouri was sacked in October 2017 after failing to win a single league match in the opening 10 matches of the new campaign.
Nouri began his journey into the sport as a professional footballer. following his retirement after a 14-year career, he ventured into management. He earned his coaching licence in 2016, doing so alongside Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.
Following his stint with Bremen, Nouri managed FC Ingolstadt and was later appointed the interim boss of Hertha Berlin but both reigns were short-lived. A stint as Jurgen Klinsmann’s assistant of the United States national team boss preceded his next head coaching role at Greek side Kavala.
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After three wins in 15 games, Nouri was dismissed. He’s since decided to make a dramatic career shift by walking out on football as he began his management of two McDonalds restaurants this month.
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Situated in Herzogenrath, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as well as Kohlscheid, the father-of-two opened up about his surprising decision to turn his back on the sport.
Speaking to German outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung, Nouri said: “Ultimately, both worlds are about bringing people along. In football, it’s players; here, it’s employees. But the basic principle is the same: you have to understand who’s sitting in front of you, what motivates them, what they need to perform.”
Admitting he was looking for stability in his life, he said it was something he couldn’t achieve if he remained in football. Recounting a phrase he remembered from his coaching course, he said: “When you sign your contract, you’re also signing your dismissal.”
While Nouri struggled to live up to expectations after Bremen’s great escape, it was the opposite for Gnabry who secured a transfer to Bayern after his heroics for the Bundesliga outfit.
Aside from a loan spell at Hoffenheim, he’s spent the rest of his career in Bavaria and has contributed to six league titles and a Champions League triumph. He’s also been an international regular for a decade and has netted 25 goals in 57 games for Germany.
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