Following the appointment of Pascal Zuberbühler as Goalkeeper Coach, dcfc.co.uk looks back on a career that took him to the highest echelons of the game, which includes a World Cup record...
Following the appointment of Pascal Zuberbühler as Goalkeeper Coach, dcfc.co.uk looks back on a career that took him to the highest echelons of the game, which includes a World Cup record...
FACT FILE:Born in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, Pascal Zuberbühler’s career into football began with his hometown club, spending his developing years from the age of 12 to 21 in the Frauenfeld set up.His obvious ability as a goalkeeper earned him his first career move to Grasshopper Club Zürich in 1992 – a move that proved hugely successful for Zuberbühler.Making over 180 appearances over seven years, Zuberbühler was a regular as he helped Grasshoppers lift the Swiss title three times as well as the cup on one occasion.Success in his native country continued to follow him after Zuberbühler completed a move to Swiss giants FC Basel, where again, he continued to be a regular in the final line of defence.Initially starting out with brief loan spells with Swiss side FC Aarau and as well as German giants Bayern Leverkusen, Zuberbühler eclipsed over 200 appearances over another seven year spell.Notably, the Rams’ new goalkeeper coach lifted the Swiss title another three times and the cup on two other occasions.He is renowned for his performances on the grandest stage of club football, standing out for Basel in their UEFA Champions League campaigns.His form over those 14 years in his native Switzerland earned him his first move to the top flight of English football as West Bromwich Albion secured his services at the beginning of the 2006/07 season.After not being able to hold down a regular first spot with the Baggies, Zuberbühler returned to his homeland Neuchâtel Xamax, where he again became a regular, and helped them earn promotion.Zuberbühler signed a deal with Fulham at the beginning of the 2008/09 campaign where he saw out the remaining three years of his playing career.Since retiring in 2011, Zuberbühler has held the position of goalkeeping coach with the Philippines national side over three separate spells.Following the first one, he was appointed as goalkeeping coach at Swiss side BSC Young Boys, but left the club after they could only finish third in the Swiss First Division.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER:Stemming from his 14 year successful spell in his native country, Zuberbühler went on to be capped 51 times at senior level for Switzerland, where he went on to play at the highest level.Notably, he was part of the Swiss squads for Euro 2004, Euro 2008 as well as the World Cup in 2006 and still holds the record for the number of successive games (5) in which he had not conceded a goal in tournament football.At the World Cup in 2006, Zuberbühler kept four clean sheets in four games as Switzerland were knocked out at the last-16 stage to Ukraine on penalties.He played his final game for Switzerland on 11 June 2008 in a 2-0 victory over Portugal during Euro 2008, which was held in his home country.
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