St. Pauli’s captain Jackson Irvine gave a colourful interview with Germany’s main sporting tabloid this week. Get German Football News is pleased to supply an full translation of the Australian’s conversation with the Wednesday print edition of Sport Bild.
Irvine – also the captain of the Australia national team – had some choice words ahead of the 2026 World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada. As the man tasked with leading Germany’s notoriously most leftist club, Irvine had little choice but to comment on politics.
The 32-year-old nevertheless spoke on lighter topics as well. Among these were his massive jersey collection, his plans after football, and his sincere desire to share a beer with Eric Cantona.
Mr. Irvine, How do you feel about Bayern president Uli Hoeneß investing €27m in St. Pauli?
“The fact that a giant from Germany’s most successful club invested in us is a strong message. It shows that others in the footballing business value St. Pauli. I’m happy to be a part of this collective, but I’m only a football player. I’m a part of this club [first and foremost].”
The Hamburger Abdendblatt [newspaper] wrote that “If professional football was tinder, St. Pauli and Jackson Irvine would be a perfect match.”
“[Laughs]. I back that statement. The partnership is enjoyed by both sides. St. Pauli is bigger and brighter than I could have envisioned at my arrival here four years ago. When I first signed on here, it was purely a sporting decision.”
Do you think there are similar links between players and club in today’s footballing world?
“It’s theoretically similar with Thomas Müller and FC Bayern. In modern football it’s nevertheless become a rarity. Players rarely stay long enough to build a meaningful relationship.“
In three words, what are the most important characteristics of St. Pauli for you?
“Community, respect, and attitude. Though it is very difficult to name just three words.”
Is it true that before you transferred [to St. Pauli], you came into contact with the club at a political demonstration?
“I’ve known about the club for quite some time. When I played for Celtic, I experienced some friendlies between the clubs. In 2020, my wife and I were at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Hull.
“The Yorkshire St. Pauli Fan club was there with the skull-and-crossbones on flags and shirts. We took pictures. That must have been a sign.”
Was that the last demonstration that you attended?
“No, I’ve been to a few. When one has the chance to make one’s voice heard, one should use it.
“Of course, there’s very little time in professional football. In 2020 I was without a club.“
And now you play for St. Pauli and are close to qualifying for the World Cup again with Australia. Does it feel like a dream?
“It’s the other way around. The look back feels like a nightmare. I was without a club for almost ten months and training by myself in the park.”
“That was a time in which I was very afraid that I’d never play at the top level again. I’ve rarely spoken about it as other people had much greater worries during the corona pandemic.
“My family, my agent, and Hibernian FC in Edinburgh believed in me and helped me find my way back. Now I’ve even been able to return to the top level.“
What would compel you to attend a demonstration these days?
“I think there are a million things worth fighting for. At the moment, right wing populism is on the rise in Europe. It’s important to fight against that.“
Back to St. Pauli. Did you secure yourself some mementos from [last season’s] promotion?
“Someone gifted me a piece of the pitch. Unfortunately, it’s shrunk. But I have kept a jersey from the decisive game against VfL Osnabrück.“
You have a collection of 150 jerseys.
“It’s a mixture of jerseys that I’ve swapped with other players, vintage jerseys, and also jerseys that I traded away from the pitch or bought new.
“Perhaps they’ll be classics some day.“
The next World Cup takes place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. What would be your thoughts if US President Donald Trump handed you the World Championship trophy?
“In that case I would tell him to put it back on the table. ‘I’ll pick it up myself!’
“Of course, if we were to win the World Cup, I’d have other thoughts in my head than who’s handing me the trophy.“
Which jersey did you wear as a kid?
“There’s a photo of me in a Scotland jersey from when I was about one or two years old.
“The first jersey that I recall was a David Beckham Manchester United one. That was maybe 1998.“
Did you also have a Beckham poster?
“I was really a football nerd and devoured my parents’ footballing encyclopedia. My parents and my grandpa instilled my love for football.
“I had a kid’s season-book from Manchester United with stories, stickers, and also a David Beckham poster.“
With which professional athlete would you like to have a beer with? Also Beckham?
“David Beckham sounds like a nice guy, but if I could ask myself who I’d like to spend an evening with, it would definitely be Eric Cantona.
“He’s the footballer and person I would love to share a conversation with whilst clutching a drink in my hand.“
What would you [two] talk about?
“Football, philosophy, politics and live! We’d talk about everything that is nice in this world.“
[Irvine then takes his smartphone out of his pocket and shows a picture of Cantona strapped to the backside].
“I have his picture on the back of my phone in the event that we cross paths.“
Then a Cantona jersey is still the one missing from your collection?
“I have one, but it’s only a replica.”
St. Pauli and Irvine are a perfect match. But suppose for a moment that a Champions League club comes knocking at your door.
When does sporting ambition trump the love of club?
“My ambition will always stand above all else. I’m 32 years-of-age and play at the highest level. I wish to play as long as I can.
“That’s my top priority.“
Can you envision finishing your career at St. Pauli?
“What could possibly be better than finishing my career in this wonderful place in the Bundesliga?
“In a perfect world, I’d play here in the Bundesliga for many years to come.“
St. Pauli is currently in 15th place four points clear of the relegation-playoff place.
Would remaining in the league be classified as better than the promotion?
“Sure. Naturally, remaining in the league is coupled with different emotions than a promotion.
“But, if we remain in – and I’m sure of this – this accomplishment will be worth more, if only because the financial incentives compared with the other clubs.”
Will you be headed back to Australia after your career?
“Australia doesn’t have the type of football culture we have here in Europe.
“Some people may not know what sort of massive significance football has in my life as I also have other interests such as fashion, music, and politics.
“But I would really struggle if I can’t simply turn on the television and watch football.“
In the meantime, are there fans in Australia donning Irvine St. Pauli jerseys?
“My cousin works in a bar in Melbourne. He told me that there are actually people there walking around in St. Pauli hoodies.
“But I don’t think people wear my jersey.
“I think people wearing St. Pauli merchandise world-wide aren’t representing football.
“They wear the colors to represent what the club stands for.“
GGFN | Peter Weis
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