Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer talks over pathway to stardom and how his father helped

Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel knew earlier on what career path he wanted to chase.

Luckily for the Austrian star, his father, Herfried made six appearances for the Austrian national team. That type of experience helped pave the way for what the player that Marcel Sabitzer has become today.

“When I was a child I often went to training with him, in the dressing rooms. I found it all very intriguing back then, not many people get those kinds of insights at such a young age. Therefore, a career as a professional footballer was always very tangible for me. I was determined to make it,” Sabitzer told FCBayern.com. “From U-12 up, my father was also my youth coach for many years. That wasn’t always easy for me but it certainly helped me in some ways. My father is still a youth coach in Austria and really has an eye for talent.”

When asked if Herfried was harder on Marcel than his other children, Marcel indicated that his father did, indeed, push him more. It was clear that Herfried recognized that Marcel had a chance to be special.

“Definitely. He knew the deal and what was needed — and there were times when he made that very clear. It was a hard school, but looking back he did everything right. As a youngster, I was already very focused on football,” Sabitzer said. “Plus I didn’t know any different — that’s how it is for a boy whose father was a pro himself. Obviously some people said I was only playing because my dad is the coach, and stuff like that. But eventually people saw that I wasn’t that bad. I was always able to deal with it well.”