‘I went from Prem’s TOTY to running Marbella bars – entertaining celebs like Katie Price’
A former footballer went from starring in the Premier League’s Team Of The Year – to running a bar in Marbella where celebrities like Katie Price visit.
Most fans will remember Stephen Carr from his Prem stints with Tottenham, and Newcastle. But the former right-back who featured in the Prem’s TOTY back in 2001 went in a completely new direction after retiring following his injury-stricken spell at Birmingham City.
Once he hung up his boots, Carr considered a coaching career but opted against it because he didn’t love the role enough.
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Instead, he embarked on a non-related football endeavour by opening the La Sala bar with a few other former stars including fellow ex-Spurs player David Bentley. Carr followed his gut and moved to Spain where he had business interests where he’s remained since.
Speaking on his career switch to i-marbella, Carr previously said: “It’s the first thing that I’ve got involved in other than footballing. I’ve been involved in property before but this is something different.
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(Image: Chronicle Live)
“Rob (Segal one of the UK’s top football agents) mentioned it to me and I was very interested because it was something different for me and something that interested me outside football. There are a few other footballers involved as well (including David Bentley), so it’s great and it’s something that I’m really excited about.”
(Image: Instagram)
And Carr’s business gamble paid off as his bar now welcomes sexy models, business owners, Hollywood royalty, and top chefs. He added: “You know the formula is working when clients are waiting up to four weeks for a reservation and we are being visited by the likes of Sir Alan Sugar, Eva Longoria, Katie Price, and Jamie Oliver.”
(Image: Trip Advisor)
The former Ireland international also revealed how he started the bar whilst at Birmingham, but kept it a secret from his team-mates who he hoped would visit in future. Carr admitted: “I kept it quite quiet, but I’m letting them all know about it now! And we’ll get as many in as possible! Marbella is a popular destination for footballer.
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
“A lot of the lads come out to Marbella and there are a lot of different places to go, but it’s the sort of place you can come to at anytime. And with this and Buddha Beach in the summer it’s going to be a good combination.”
Carr’s business partner Bentley, who had a spell at Arsenal, also got involved with the business because he’d fallen out of love with football. He once told The Athletic: “I’ve learnt so many things being attached to businesses. With what I do now, every day is different.
“It really is exciting. Football; yes, it gives you comfort but in the end it became… it wasn’t exciting.”
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