Sascha Riether

The only game he played for Schalke 04 in the 2018–19 season was in the last game of the season in which Schalke 04 tied 0–0 against VfB Stuttgart. After that Riether retired from professional football.

After four months since being a free agent, Riether trained with the club with Manager Domenico Tedesco. Several weeks after training with them, it was announced on 6 October 2017 that Riether signed a contract with Schalke 04 for the remainder of the 2017–18 season. In May 2018, he extended his contract to one more year to stay at the club.

However, at the start of the 2016–17 season, Riether continued to found himself in a competition, along with Caiçara and Coke over the right–back position. He then started two matches in the right–back position against 1. FC Köln and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Throughout the most of the 2016–17 season, Riether struggled to regain his first team place, due to Benedikt Höwedes preferred instead as a right–back. Despite this, he soon got more playing time towards the end of the season. At the end of the 2016–17 season, making 9 appearances in all competitions, Riether was released by the club.

Following Freiburg's relegation from the Bundesliga, Riether signed for Schalke 04 on 23 July 2015, signing a one–year contract and an option of extending for another season. Upon joining the club, he was given a number 27 shirt ahead of the new season.

On 26 June 2014, Riether left relegated Fulham and rejoined his first club SC Freiburg for an undisclosed fee.

However, at the start of the season, Riether suffered a knee injury that saw him missed the first four matches. It wasn’t until on 23 September 2014 when he re–debuted for SC Freiburg, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 3–3 draw against TSG Hoffeinheim. Expected to feature in the midfield position, Riether, instead, played in the right–back position, competing with Oliver Sorg. In absent of captain of Miso Brecko and Julian Schuster, who lost his first team place, Riether captained the side on four occasions around November. However, he suffered a muscle injury in late–November. After returning to the first team from injury, Riether later regained as a right–back position. However, towards the end of the 2014–15 season, he lost his first team place and was demoted to the substitute bench, as the club were relegated from the Bundesliga. Riether went on to finish the season, making 21 appearances in all competitions.

Riether made his debut for Wolfsburg, starting the whole game, in the right–back position, in a 3–1 loss against Arminia Bielefeld in the opening game of the season. Since making his debut, he quickly established himself in the first team, where he mostly played in the right–back position. He also played in the midfield position or centre–back position. It wasn’t until on the last game of the season when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–2 win over Borussia Dortmund, a win that saw Wolfsburg qualify for the UEFA Cup for next season. Despite being in and out of the first team, Riether finished his first season at Wolfsburg, making 32 appearances and scoring 5 times in all competitions.

Riether made his Fulham debut on the first day of the season against Norwich City, a 5–0 thumping of the Canaries at Craven Cottage. Since making his debut, he quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side, beating out Stephen Kelly over the right–back position. On 10 November, Riether was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area and referee Phil Dowd awarded a 93rd-minute penalty to Arsenal with the game tied 3–3; Mikel Arteta's spot-kick was saved by Mark Schwarzer and Fulham escaped the Emirates with a point. Riether scored his first goal in the Premier League for Fulham in a 2–2 draw at Sunderland on 2 March 2013. Despite missing out three matches during the 2012–13 season, he went on to make 39 appearances and scoring once in all competitions. Following a successful debut season in England, Riether was voted as the club's Player of the Season by his fellow players, beating out the likes of top scorer Dimitar Berbatov and Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis.

On 16 May 2013, Riether agreed a permanent deal with Fulham for an undisclosed fee. He said "I am pleased after a first season in England and am focused on my other tasks in Fulham." Ahead of the 2013–14 season, he signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2016. Riether continued to regain his first team place, in the right–back position despite facing competition from new signing, Elsad Zverotić. On 5 October 2013, Riether twice cleared shots off the line from fellow countryman Robert Huth as Fulham beat Stoke City 1–0 at home. Riether received much praise for his play and was recognized by Sky Sports as the game's "Man of the Match" for his endeavors. On 4 November 2013, Riether was charged with violent conduct by The FA after video evidence showed that he stamped on Manchester United player Adnan Januzaj in stoppage time of Fulham's 3–1 loss to United two days before. The club later found themselves in the relegation zone following the club’s string of losses, which he described it as "desperate to avoid another survival scrap after experience with Cologne". Even after the reuniting with Manager Magath, the club were later relegated to the Championship after losing 4–1 to Stoke City. Riether’s form was dropped, as Metro reflected on his performance: "Riether’s demise, however, was so stark and speedy it was almost upsetting. He was slow and turgid last season and began to resemble a player more fitting to his age." Despite this, Riether finished the 2013–14 season, making 33 appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Initially remaining coy about his future at Fulham until the end of the season, Riether were among several players expecting to leave Fulham following their relegation. During his time at Fulham, Riether was a subject of a football chant from Fulham supporters in his honour by singing: "Sascha Riether Baby – Sascha Riether ohohohoho!"

Riether made his Schalke 04 debut, where he started the whole game, in a 3–1 win over Werder Bremen in the opening game of the season. Since making his Schalke 04 debut, Riether appeared in and out of the first team, due to facing strong competition with Júnior Caiçara over the right–back position. As a result, he often rotate with Caiçara over the right–back position. Despite this, he played a role in the UEFA Europa League in two separate matches, which he assisted two times, both a win against Asteras Tripoli and APOEL; and ultimately helped the club reach the knockout stage. Later in the 2015–16 season, Riether later played in the centre–back position on two occasions, as they made 20 appearances (16 of which were in the starting eleven) in all competitions. At the end of the season, Schalke 04 opted to take up their option of a contract extension that would ensure Riether remained under contract for the 2016–17 season.

In his early football career, Riether developed a reputation as "a good schoolboy, who always does his work without corners and edges, never attracts attention and therefore sometimes receives too little attention." He left school "at least 2-Abi". In addition to speaking German, Riether speaks Spanish, French, English and some Portuguese. During his time at Wolfsburg, Riether developed a friendship with his then team–mates, Gentner and Marcel Schäfer. Riether hinted about moving into coaching once he retired.

On 6 July 2012, Riether moved to Premier League side Fulham on a season-long loan deal from parent club 1. FC Köln, after they were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, reuniting with his former Wolfsburg teammate Ashkan Dejagah. The move also have an option to acquire the player at the end of the loan period. After securing the move to his new club, Riether spoke of his delight for being able to suit up at Craven Cottage, "I remember Craven Cottage being a great stadium with great fans, and I hope I can go on to have a great season here."

In the 2010–11 season, Riether featured for the first two matches before being sidelined on three occasions in the first half of the season, including a training with Diego, even if he was on loan at Atlético Madrid at the time. Despite this, Riether continued to be in the first team, though he played in different midfield positions. It wasn’t until on 15 January 2011 when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Bayern Munich. After returning from injury, Riether later regained his first team place for the rest of the season. Despite a further injury later in the 2010–11 season, Riether finished the season, making 31 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.

In the summer transfer window of 2011, Riether was linked a move away from the club, putting his future in doubt. It came after when he rejected a new contract from Wolfsburg, with a one–year contract left. One club interested was 1. FC Köln and eventually, the agreement was reached on 3 July 2011. During his time at Wolfsburg, Riether was the club’s fan favourite.

It was confirmed on 8 July 2011 that Riether was transferred to Bundesliga rivals 1. FC Köln for €2.8 million.

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Manager Ståle Solbakken wanted him to be captain, but he declined the offer, leading Pedro Geromel being appointed instead. Nevertheless, he was given a vice–captain instead. Riether made his 1. FC Köln debut in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 against his former club, Wolfsburg. Since making his debut for the club, he quickly established himself in the midfield position, where he usually next to Martin Lanig and Adam Matuszczyk. In absent of captain Geromel, he captained the side for the first time on 25 September 2011, in a 2–0 win over 1899 Hoffenheim. He went on captain for the next five matches before Geromel return. It wasn’t until on 25 February 2012 when he captained the side once again, in a 2–0 loss against Bayer Leverkusen. A month later on 25 March 2012 against Borussia Dortmund, Riether made his 200th Bundesliga appearances, as they went on to lose 6–1. However, towards the end of the season, the club was eventually relegated to the 2. Bundesliga. Despite suffering setback during the 2011–12 season, Riether finished his first season, making 35 appearances (33 out of which were league fixtures) in all competitions.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Riether’s future at 1. FC Köln became increasingly uncertain as a result of the club’s relegation and was advised to find a new club. As a result, he was linked a move away from 1. FC Köln, with clubs from abroad and his native clubs, both VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg, were among interested.

Due to his good performance at Wolfsburg, Riether was considered to be called up by the national team. However, in May 2010, he was cut from being short–listed for the FIFA World Cup squad for the side. Three months later, he was finally called up by the senior team.

Riether made his debut with the German national team on 11 August 2010, in a friendly against Denmark and played 34 minutes coming on as substitute for Andreas Beck, as the match finished in a 2–2 draw. After the match, he said about his debut, quoting: "It was very special for me, the first international match, but unfortunately we did not win, but I'm really happy to get a taste of it."

To date, Riether's only other appearance with the national side was on 7 September 2010, playing the full 90 minutes of a 6–1 thumping of Azerbaijan in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match. He have been since being called up by the national team on two occasions. Two years after moving to Fulham, Riether hopes his move would have benefited his international career, which never happened.

In the 2009–10 season, Riether started the season well when he set up two goals in two matches, both were a win against VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln. He continued to regain his first team place at the club, playing in the right–back position following Zaccardo’s departure back to Italy. Riether then made his UEFA Champions League debut on Matchday 1 Group Stage, in a 3–1 win over CSKA Moscow. He went on to make six Champions League appearances, as they were eliminated in the Group Stage. A week later, on 23 September 2009, Riether scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–2 loss against 1. FC Köln in the second round of DFB-Pokal. In addition to playing right–back position, Riether also continued to play in the midfield position. Although he missed one league game in the 2009–10 season, Riether went on to make a total of 47 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2008–09 season, Riether was expected to compete with Cristian Zaccardo over the right–back position, though he stated he can play in the midfield position. Instead, he regained his right–back position, putting Zaccardo on the substitute bench at the start of the season. In the opening game of the season against 1. FC Köln, he set up a goal for Christian Gentner, who scored an equaliser and the club went on to win 2–1 at the end of the game. It wasn’t until on 13 September 2008 when he scored his first goal of the season, when he scored in injury time, in a 2–2 draw against Hertha BSC. Five days later, on 18 September 2008, he made his UEFA Cup debut, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Rapid București; the club went on to go through to the group stage after drawing 1–1 in the return leg. However, Riether soon suffered injuries on two separate occasions during the season. After returning from injury, he made his first appearance on 21 March 2009, in a 3–0 win over Arminia Bielefeld. Due to Zaccardo’s playing time in the right–back position, Riether occasionally played in the midfield position, which he later played more active role later in the season. Riether was instrumental in the campaign, featuring in 28 league games as part of a solid defense helping his side record 10 straight Bundesliga victories, including a memorable 5–1 thrashing of Bayern Munich. He also helped on the attacking side of the undefeated run, scoring the game winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 11 April 2009. Riether went on to help the club achieve their first Bundesliga title in 2008–09 season after beating Werder Bremen 5–1 on the last game of the season. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Riether went on to make 37 appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. Shortly after the end of the season, he then signed a contract extension, keeping him until 2012.

Riether stayed with Freiburg until July 2007 when he was signed by Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg for €500,000 and signing a three–year contract. Manager Felix Magath saw Riether’s signing as "an alternative for the back right."

Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Riether signed a contract with the club, keeping his contract running until 2009. He started the season, playing in the right–back position and then in midfield position. Despite being sidelined in number of matches during the 2006–07 season, Riether finished the season, making 31 appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2004–05 season, Riether continued to feature in the defensive–midfield position for the side. He then scored in the second round of DFB-Pokal, in a 3–2 win over VfL Bochum after the game went extra–time. Riether then played in different positions in centre–back and then right–back positions, which he does for the rest of the season. He then scored his first league goal of the season, on 6 February 2005, in a 3–2 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite being sidelined in number of matches during the 2004–05 season, Riether finished the season, making the 27 appearances and scoring 2 times in all competitions and saw the club relegated back to 2. Bundesliga.

In the 2005–06 season, Riether resumed his first team place in the midfield position at the start of the season. Riether then played in different positions in centre–back and then right–back positions for the most of the season. Despite being sidelined in number of matches during the 2005–06 season, Riether finished the season, making 31 appearances in all competition, as the club failed to reach the play–offs.

After progressing through the ranks at SC Freiburg for the next four years, Riether started his professional club career in the 2. Bundesliga ahead of the 2002–03 season with the side. He made his SC Freiburg debut in the opening game of the season, where he started the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Alemannia Aachen. Two weeks after making his debut, he set up a goal for Fabian Gerber, in a 3–1 win over Rot Weiss Ahlen. Since making his debut for the club, Riether quickly established himself in the first team for the side, quickly dispatching Tobias Willi. Since making his debut, he started in every matches in the right–back position. Over the season, Riether was praised for his good performance in number of matches. This last until he suffered an injury that kept him out for two months. he made his return on 25 April 2003, coming on as a second–half substitute, in a 4–0 loss against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. In his first season with the club he appeared in 23 league games (26 appearances in all competitions), helping Freiburg become champions and secure promotion back into the Bundesliga.

In the 2003–04 season, Riether started the season well when he scored in the opening game of the season, in a 4–1 loss against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He started out the start of the season, playing in the right–back position before moving into the midfield position soon after. Riether also an ever-present for the side, where he played 33 league appearances, though he missed one match. Despite this, Riether went on to become the club’s top performers and helped the side survive in the Bundesliga, finishing 13th place. At the end of the 2003–04 season, Riether went on to make 36 appearances and scoring three times in all competitions. Shortly after the end of the season, he signed a contract extension with the club.

In August 2003, Riether was called up by Germany U-21 for the first time. It wasn’t until on 9 September 2003 when he made his debut for the U21 side, in a 1–0 loss against Scotland U21. Riether captained the U21 side on five occasions. In the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Riether made one appearances during the tournament and were eliminated in the Group Stage. Riether went on to make thirteen appearances for the U21 side.

Later in 2002, Riether was called up by Germany U-20 and made his debut for the side on 23 October 2002. He went on to make two appearances for the U20 side.

Born in Lahr, West Germany, Riether started his career at B-youth of SC Freiburg when he first joined the side in July 1998. He previously was at the youth teams of FV Kuhbach (now SC Kuhbach-Reichenbach) and Offenburger FV.

Sascha Riether (German pronunciation: [ˈzaʃa ˈʁiːtɐ] ; born 23 March 1983) is a former German professional footballer who played as a right-back. In addition to playing in the right back position, Riether has also played in defensive midfield, center back and right midfield positions throughout his whole career.