In a rare in-depth interview, Marcel Koller shares insights into his remarkable career spanning nearly 30 years in professional football.

On His Playing Career at Grasshopper "Those 19 years shaped who I am today. Playing over 500 matches teaches you things no coaching course ever could. I learned about resilience, teamwork, and the importance of club culture."

On Transitioning to Coaching "I always knew I wanted to stay in football. Coaching felt natural because I had studied the game from the inside for so long. My first job at FC Wil was challenging but formative."

On His Preferred Formation "The 4-2-3-1 gives you balance. It allows defensive stability while providing options in attack. But formations are just numbers – what matters is how players interpret their roles."

On Working Abroad "Every country teaches you something new. In Germany, I learned about professionalism. In Austria, about national pride. In Egypt, about passion and the weight of expectation."

On His Greatest Achievement "Each trophy is special, but qualifying Austria for Euro 2016 stands out. We changed the mentality of an entire nation. That's bigger than any single match or title."

Advice for Young Coaches "Stay curious. Watch matches, study opponents, learn from mistakes. And never forget – football is about people, not systems."