A very last mission? Simon Laner and his plans

It's been a while since Simon Laner last appeared on an official score sheet. On June 16, 2021 - over a year ago - he played a Serie D playoff game with AC Crema 1908 against Fanfulla. A match that ended in a 2-2 draw and in which Laner appeared as a goalscorer. After that, however, the trace of the Merano native, who played a total of 22 games in Italy's top league with Cagliari and Hellas Verona, is lost. So the question is allowed: Has South Tyrol's last Serie A player to date quietly ended his glorious career?

Simon Laner has to laugh when he is asked this question. “I once told you: When the time comes, I’ll get in touch with you. But I haven’t had the courage to do it yet,” replies the likeable 38-year-old. In other words, that means Laner's career door isn't completely closed yet. Comeback to the 1st amateur league? “I've now taken a year off and dedicated myself to other projects. “Recently a friend came to me and asked me if I would like to stick with it for another year,” said the father of two. Specifically, it's about a 1st amateur league team in Bergamo, whose name Laner doesn't want to name for the time being. “I'm going to train a bit now and then decide whether I want to play another season. Or if I’ll definitely stop.” “The flame for football has not gone out yet.” Simon Laner Laner is still fit because he has continued to train over the past few months - despite the football break. When s+ reached him for the interview, the former professional had just finished a session. “The flame for football has not gone out yet,” explains Laner, who has lived in Bergamo with his family for years and has found a new home there.

Simon Laner played 18 of his 22 Serie A games for Cagliari. © private

It will be seen in the next few days whether the former professional footballer, who also played 144 Serie B games in his career, will win another championship. What is certain, however, is that Laner has already found his footing in the career after his career. The Merano native, who also lived in Gargazon in his youth, has tried his hand at various professional fields in recent months, with football still playing a major role. Technology trainer and real estate dealer “The Perform Center Academy, where I work, was founded in Bergamo. Ex-Atalanta star Papu Gómez is also a partner. There is personal support here for footballers – whether professionals, amateur players or youth footballers. This applies to mental coaching, fitness, rehabilitation or individual training,” explains Laner. The South Tyrolean is involved as a trainer. “So I work with the players on their ball technique. Professionals also take advantage of the offer, such as Davide Bettella (Monza, Serie A) and Daniel Boloca (Frosinone, Serie B).”

<a data-caption="101 Spiele (17 Tore) bestritt Laner für AlbinoLeffe in der Serie B. Das ist somit der Verein, für den der Meraner am häufigsten auflief. © privat" data-fancybox="inline-120887" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2022/07/101-spiele-17-tore-bestritt-laner-fuer-albinoleffe-in-der-serie-b-das-ist-somit-der-verein-fuer-den-der-meraner-am-haeufigsten-auflief.jpg"> Laner played 101 games (17 goals) for AlbinoLeffe in Serie B. This is the club for which the Merano native played most often. © private

Laner also took his first steps in the real estate industry (“With my brother-in-law we buy apartments, renovate them and sell them on”). And he tried his hand at representing sporting goods, but that wasn't his world. Nevertheless, he says: “I like it when I have a few projects running in parallel. This means I have a lot of freedom and can organize my time.” So the two children Kilian (7 years old) and Matilde (almost 2 years old) don’t miss out either. Laner keeps his fingers crossed for the FCS But Laner still remains close to home. He also followed football in South Tyrol - and especially the FCS. “I am very happy that they have made it to Serie B. That was well deserved. There are really strong teams in Serie B this year, so it certainly won't be an easy year for the white-reds. But they have all the structures and requirements to keep the class. I keep my fingers crossed." “I hope that there will be a South Tyrolean Serie A player again soon.” Simon Laner The question remains when the next Serie A player from South Tyrol will finally appear. On December 22, 2013, Laner made his 22nd and final appearance in Italy's elite series, and since then no domestic kicker has managed to break into the crème de la crème. That could change soon, as Manuel De Luca is currently causing a sensation at Sampdoria. It remains to be seen whether he will get a chance. “In any case, I hope that there will be a South Tyrolean Serie A player again soon,” concluded Laner. Simon Laner – stages in his career The club League Season(s) Games/goals Greece Verona Serie B 2002/03 7/0 Carrarese C2 2003/04 24/0 Castelnuovo C2 2004 - 06 57/7 Sanremese C2 2006/07 13/4 For Sesto C1 2007/08 27/2 AlbinoLeffe Serie B 2008 - 10 64/12 Cagliari Serie A 2010/11 18/0 AlbinoLeffe Serie B 2011/12 37/5 Greece Verona Serie B 2012/13 28/2 Greece Verona Serie A 2013 4/0 Novara Serie B 2014 7/0 Carpi Serie B 2014/15 1/0 Chiasso 2nd Swiss League 2015/16 19/4 Modena Serie C 2016/17 21/2 Greece Verona Serie A 2017/18 0 Franciacorta Series D 2018 - 20 40/12 Crema Series D 2020/21 20/5

Serie A Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Naples	20	32:12	47
2. Inter	18	46:15	43
3. Atalanta	19	43:20	42
4. Lazio	20	34:28	36
5. Juventus	19	31:16	33
6. Fiorentina	19	32:20	32
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A very last mission? Simon Laner and his plans

He is the last South Tyrolean to date to make it to Serie A. Things have now become quiet around Simon Laner. So has he ended his career? In the interview, the 38-year-old talks about what may be his last football mission and about his life outside of professionalism.

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