Emanuel Pogatetz

Template:Football player infobox2 Emanuel Pogatetz (born January 16, 1983 in Graz, Austria) 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 sixteen 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" ^[1] with the Austrian's progress.

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."^[1].

Pogatetz also has experienced problems with a hernia and is travelling to Munich on April 24 2006 for surgery to cure this problem.

Pogatetz is known as "The Pog" by some of the Riverside Stadium faithful. Due to the Austrian's 110% commitment and notorious 'nutcase/hardman' image, Pogatetz is also commonly referred to by fans and team mates alike as "Mad Dog". Another amusing nickname that he has acquired is "Emanuel Smogatetz", which cleverly combines his real name with one of the nicknames of his club: "The Smoggies".

On the 4th of July 2006, Emanuel 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 is expected by Boro fans to keep his place, even upon the returns of Woodgate and Riggott.

Many consider him a great signing within the camp, and manager Gareth Southgate has been quick to rubbish rumours over a possible move to F.C. Barcelona.

Pogatetz is a firm fan favourite with the Middlesbrough faithful; many would agree, although he is not the best technical player, he plays with all his heart and impresses doing so. England and former Middlesbrough coach Steve McClaren recently stated "He never, ever, gives less than 300% in performance".

He has recently won the Middlesbrough player of the year award, voted for by the fans. The fans have even started a unique chant of "Poggy Poggy Poggy, Oi Oi Oi!".

External links

• Emanuel Pogatetz at Soccerbase
• Leverkusen who's who