Nuremberg’s assistant coach
©IMAGO
Around two years after the end of his career, Javier Pinola is returning to the pitch – as a district league player. The 41-year-old Argentine will play for 1. FC Oberhaid in the seventh division in 2025. “It fills us with pride that he will put on the FCO jersey,” the “Kicker” quotes Oberhaid’s sporting director Oliver Dotterweich.
However, this also curbed expectations to some extent. “He won’t play that often,” explained Dotterweich. Pinola is currently Miroslav Klose’s assistant coach at FCN. He could make his debut in March, when the ball is resting in the second division due to international matches. Pinola ended his career at River Plate and was active at FCN between 2005 and 2015. The two-time national player played 287 games (nine goals/20 assists) for the club.
“The transfer from Pinola to FCO is simply outstanding for the entire club. But we players in particular are really looking forward to being on the pitch with him. I hope that the schedule works out once or twice in the second half of the season, it will definitely be a great experience for everyone,” said Oberhaid’s coach Fabian Baumgärtl. Dotterweich described it as “a huge advertising story” for the club.