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Emanuel Pogatetz
	Emanuel Pogatetz
Personal information
Date of birth	16 January 1983 (age 26)
Place of birth	Graz, Austria
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Left Back, Centre Back
Club information
Current club	Middlesbrough
Number	6
Senior career1
National team2
	1 Senior club appearances and goals; counted for the domestic league only and; correct as of 10:43, 3 June 2009 (UTC).; 2 National team caps and goals correct; as of 10:43, 3 June 2009 (UTC).; * Appearances (Goals)

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

[edit] Club career

Pogatetz's career started at Sturm Graz before going to 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 24 weeks by the Russian Football Union [2]

Pogatetz in action for Middlesbrough.

Pogatetz broke his nose, jaw, and cheekbone in an accidental clash of heads with FC Basel's Mladen Petrić during the first leg of Middlesbrough'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.^[1]

Pogatetz was ordered to take no physical exercise for a month and to stay away from full football training for three months as of 12 April 2006. "It is anticipated he will make a full recovery and be back with his team-mates for pre-season training," said Middlesbrough head physio Grant Downie. "The only disappointing thing for Manny [Pogatetz] 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]

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

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, Pogatetz was given the captain's armband on a full-time basis following his taking up of the role towards the end of the season.

[edit] International career

Pogatetz is a regular Austrian international, having played 25 times, tallying 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.

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.

Since March 2009, he has served as the captain for the Austria.