04 Jun Schwarzer’s peculiar introduction to Van Marwijk

Optus Sport presenter Richard Bayliss has revealed an interesting encounter between Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Van Marwijk and the Socceroos squad are currently on a training camp in Turkey before their friendly against the Czech Republic on Friday at 9pm AEST.

Bayliss recalled the hilarious moment when Schwarzer introduced himself to the Dutchman before an interview between the two took place.

“Mark Schwarzer works for us at Optus Sport and he’s actually sat down with him today and had a good chat,” he told SEN Breakfast.

“It was a fairly open and interesting interview but generally speaking he doesn’t give a great deal.

“Even staffers within that I’ve spoken to don’t really know whether he’s coming or going. Sometimes he doesn’t even say hello to them – I think he likes to keep them at arm’s length.

“Schwarzer, who we know was one of the most famous goalkeepers in world football over the past 20 years, said ‘hello’ to Bert a couple of days ago – they hadn’t met before and I was standing not too far away.

“Mark said: ‘Hi Bert, I’m Mark Schwarzer.’ Bert just said: ‘yep, I know’ and sort of awkwardly kept walking along.

“That’s sort of what he’s like, but I think the players love him though because he has come in short term and isn’t taking any prisoners.

“He just wants to get a result at the World Cup and get us out of the group.”

The final Socceroos squad of 23 will be announced on the 4th of June.

Listen to Richard Bayliss' chat on SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim in the player below

Source: SEN Football