Stéphane Henchoz (born September 7, 1974 in Billens, Switzerland) is a former Swiss international footballer who last played for Blackburn Rovers as a defender. He has been capped 72 times and played for his country at Euro 1996 and Euro 2004.

Henchoz first came to notice playing in the German Bundesliga for Hamburger SV. After signing for Blackburn Rovers in 1997, Henchoz enjoyed two personally successful seasons in a relatively underperforming Rovers team. As Blackburn were relegated at the end of the 1998–99 season, Henchoz remained a Premiership player after being purchased for 3.5 million pounds by Liverpool.

At Liverpool, Henchoz became a regular member of the first team during his five-and-a-half year stay at Anfield. Henchoz proved to be an inspirational signing and was popular with the Liverpool fans. He formed an effective central defensive partnership with Sami Hyypiä. This partnership played an important part in Liverpool's historic cup treble in 2001, although it was Henchoz's handball in the 90th minute of the League Cup Final against Birmingham that led to extra time (the match itself was only settled on penalties).

Unfortunately his last two seasons were interrupted due to spells of injury but he still surpassed the 200 mark of games for Liverpool in 2003/04.

With injury problems and Gerard Houllier preferring Igor Bišćan at centre half, Henchoz became something of a bit part player appearing as an occasional right back. Eventually, the Henchoz-Hyypiä partnership was rekindled in 2003–04, helping Liverpool to fourth place in the league.

When Rafael Benítez replaced Gérard Houllier as manager, his decision to try versatile English defender Jamie Carragher in partnership with Hyypiä spelled an end to Henchoz's Anfield career. Carragher, previously employed as a full-back, was a revelation at centre back and Henchoz consequently joined Celtic for free on a six-month contract. However, upon the expiration of that contract, Henchoz opted to move back to the Premiership with newly promoted Wigan Athletic. Whilst at Wigan he started in the 2006 Football League Cup Final.

Henchoz left Wigan after only a year, signing a contract until the end of the 2006–07 season back with Blackburn Rovers. He was used sparingly during the season to fill in for injuries, but performed suitably. His second spell at Blackburn Rovers came to an end on May 19, when he was released by Mark Hughes. He was reported of ending his career on 13 October 2008, he now intends to study for his coaching badge.

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] External links

• Player profile at LFChistory.net
• Stéphane Henchoz career stats at Soccerbase
• Henchoz released by Blackburn Rovers (2008)

v • d • e Switzerland squad – UEFA Euro 1996 1 Pascolo • 2 Hottiger • 3 Quentin • 4 Henchoz • 5 Geiger • 6 Wicky • 7 Fournier • 8 Sylvestre • 9 Grassi • 10 Sforza • 11 Chapuisat • 12 Lehmann • 13 Jeanneret • 14 Türkyilmaz • 15 Vega • 16 Koller • 17 Vogel • 18 Rothenbühler • 19 Sesa • 20 Comisetti • 21 Bonvin • 22 Corminbœuf • Coach: Artur Jorge

v • d • e Switzerland squad – UEFA Euro 2004 1 Stiel • 2 Haas • 3 Berner • 4 Henchoz • 5 Murat Yakin • 6 Vogel • 7 Cabanas • 8 Wicky • 9 Frei • 10 Hakan Yakin • 11 Chapuisat • 12 Zuberbühler • 13 Zwyssig • 14 Magnin • 15 Gygax • 16 Celestini • 17 Spycher • 18 Huggel • 19 Barnetta • 20 Müller • 21 Rama • 22 Vonlanthen • 23 Roth • Coach: Kuhn