Emanuel Pogatetz

Football player infobox2
playername = Emanuel Pogatetz


fullname = Emanuel Pogatetz
height = height|ft=6|in=2.5
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1983|1|16|
cityofbirth = Graz
countryofbirth = Austria
position = Left back, centre back
currentclub = Middlesbrough
clubnumber = 6
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2000–2001
2001–2002
2002–2005
2002–2003
2003–2004
2005
2005–
clubs = FC Kärnten
Bayer Leverkusen II
Bayer Leverkusen
→ FC Aarau (loan)
→ Grazer AK (loan)
→ Spartak Moscow (loan)
Middlesbrough
caps(goals) = 33 (0)
26 (0)
00 (0)
21 (3)
53 (2)
11 (0)
88 (3)
nationalyears = 2002–
nationalteam = Austria
nationalcaps(goals) = 33 (2)
pcupdate = 01:06, 29 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 17:08, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

Emanuel Pogatetz (born January 16, 1983 in Graz, Styria) is an Austrian football player who currently plays for Middlesbrough as a defender.

Football career

His career started at SK Sturm Graz, before going to FC Kärnten and later to Bayer Leverkusen. After a short loan spell at FC Aarau, Grazer AK and Spartak Moscow, he attempted to sign for Middlesbrough.

He had also been tracked by Fulham, but during his final game on loan at Spartak Moscow, he tackled Yaroslav Kharitonskiy, leaving the Russian with a double leg fracture. He was banned for twenty-four weeks by the Russian Football Association.

Pogatetz is a regular Austrian international, having played twenty-five times, and scored one goal. As a left-back, he was bought by Middlesbrough so as to compete with Franck Queudrue for a starting place in league games. Pogatetz is also aptly comfortable at centre back having commanded this position at both club and international level.

Pogatetz broke his nose, jaw and cheekbone in an accidental clash of heads with Basel's Mladen Petric during the first leg of Boro's UEFA Cup quarter-final. Pogatetz was warned against returning to full training for three months for fear of risking his eyesight. He underwent successful surgery to have the fractures reset. Dr. Douglas Bryan declared himself "delighted" with the Austrian's progress. [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=364570&cc=5739] ]

Pogatetz was ordered to take no physical exercise for a month and to stay away from full football training for three months as of April 12, 2006. "It is anticipated he will make a full recovery and be back with his team-mates for pre-season training," said Boro's head physio Grant Downie. "The only disappointing thing for Manny is he won't be able to play football, and he was desperate to get back involved." Downie added "But another blow to his face would risk severe trauma and a potentially eyesight-threatening injury." [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=364570&cc=5739] ]

Emanuel suffered from a hernia, for which he received corrective surgery in Munich on April 24, 2006. On the July 4, 2006, he returned to training following successful surgery on his hernia and cheek.

In September 2006, Pogatetz was banned from playing for his country after he criticised the coach Josef Hickersberger and captain Andreas Ivanschitz after Austria drew with Costa Rica and lost to Venezuela in an international tournament played earlier in the month.

In the 2006–07 season, Pogatetz was forced into the centre of defence, due to an injury to Chris Riggott. He has since formed impressive partnerships at the back with both Robert Huth and Jonathan Woodgate. Pogatetz was able to keep his place, even upon the returns of Woodgate and Riggott. Former England and Middlesbrough coach Steve McClaren said "He never, ever, gives less than 300% in performance".

At the close of the 2007–08 season it was announced by Boro boss, Gareth Southgate, that Emanuel was to be given the captain's armband on a full-time basis following his taking up of the role towards the end of the season.

Honours

FC Kärnten

*Austrian Cup: 2001

Grazer AK

*Austrian League: 2004
*Austrian Cup: 2004

References

External links

* [http://www.pogatetz.com Emmanuel Pogatetz own web site]
*soccerbase|id=25170|name=Emanuel Pogatetz
* [http://www.leverkusen.com/whoiswho/whoiswho.php4?view=Pogatetz Leverkusen who's who]
* [http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=47373/index.html Player profile] - EURO2008
* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=491 Career stats] - National Football Teams