Emanuel Pogatetz

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Personal information
Emanuel Pogatetz
Full name	Emanuel Pogatetz
Date of birth	January 16, 1983
Place of birth	Graz, Austria
Height	6 ft 2in
Nickname	Pog, Mad Dog
Position	Left Back
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2005 2002-2003 2003-2004 2005 2005-	Karnten Bayer Leverkusen II Bayer Leverkusen FC Aarau (loan) Grazer AK (loan) Spartak Moscow (loan) Middlesbrough	33 (0) 26 (0) 0 (0) 21 (3) 53 (2) 11 (0) 27 (3)
National team
2002-	Austria	18 (1)
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

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

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 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 has been 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 declaring 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 [Emmanuel] 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 Emanuel 'The Pog' Pogatetz 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.'

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 critisised the coach Josef Hickersberger and captain Andreas Ivanschitz after Austria drew with Costa Rica and lost to Venezuela in and international tournament palyed earlier in the month.

In the 2006-2007 season, Pogatetz was forced into the centre of defence, due to an injury to Chris Riggot. 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 Riggot.

Pogatetz is a firm fan favourite with the Middlesbrough faithfull; 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".