In a surprising development at SC Union Nettetal, Granit Xhaka, the captain of the Swiss national team and Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s latest addition, conducted training sessions as part of his A-coaching certificate internship.

This move was facilitated through the English FA, and the insights shared by Xhaka are expected to enrich the Oberliga club’s training.

• Granit Xhaka leads training at SC Union Nettetal as part of his A-coaching certification through the English FA.
• Xhaka’s involvement with Union Nettetal was facilitated after his move from Arsenal FC, and his coaching has been well-received.
• The experience, insights, and direct involvement of Xhaka have made this a special and valuable occasion for the team, as testified by players and coaching staff.

SC Union Nettetal’s latest training session had an illustrious guest; Granit Xhaka, who now plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, arrived in the Oberligist’s training outfit.

The training was part of Xhaka’s A-coaching certificate process, which he is pursuing via the English FA.

Xhaka’s visit to the club was facilitated by his brother-in-law Leonard Lekaj, who has been playing for Nettetal since the 2020/21 season.

Xhaka, after leaving Arsenal FC in the summer, held two training sessions at Union Nettetal.

Together with coach Andreas Schwan, they brainstormed on the training content that would be beneficial for Nettetal.

“We met two weeks ago to discuss this internship, and then we exchanged content directly,” says Schwan. Xhaka expressed gratitude for the opportunity and stressed the importance of personal learning during this coaching stint.

The 30-year-old’s involvement with Union Nettetal has been active and well-received.

Xhaka’s presence was highly appreciated by newcomer Tom Salentin, who said, “Granit showed me two or three things that I will remember for the future.” Coach Schwan also emphasised that Xhaka’s experience would help their young team.

Of course, having a Champions League and international player like Xhaka guiding the team is seen as ‘exceptional’.

Xhaka’s hands-on approach and face-to-face communication were praised by the coaching staff, marking this unique experience as a significant moment for the club.

SC Union Nettetal

SC Union Nettetal is a German football club located in Nettetal, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1991 through the merger of several local teams.

They competes in the Oberliga, which is one of the fifth-tier leagues in the German football league system. The Oberliga consists of several regional leagues, and Union Nettetal plays in one of these regional divisions.

The club’s history includes both promotions and relegations through the lower tiers of the German football league system. While not a club with significant international recognition, Union Nettetal maintains a respectable presence in regional football and engages in activities at the local community level.

Union Nettetal’s facilities, training programs, and community engagement help foster local talents. The club often focuses on the development of young players, and its involvement in activities beyond just professional football is an essential part of the community in Nettetal.

The recent news about Granit Xhaka leading training sessions at the club has certainly brought additional attention to Union Nettetal and highlights the opportunities and connections that can exist even in the lower tiers of professional football.