Stéphane Henchoz

Stéphane Henchoz

Personal information
Full name	Stéphane Henchoz
Date of birth	(1974-09-07) 7 September 1974
Place of birth	Billens, Switzerland
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1989–1992	Bulle
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1992–1995	Neuchâtel Xamax	91	(1)
1995–1997	Hamburger SV	49	(2)
1997–1999	Blackburn Rovers	70	(0)
1999–2005	Liverpool	135	(0)
2005	Celtic	6	(0)
2005–2006	Wigan Athletic	26	(0)
2006–2008	Blackburn Rovers	12	(0)
Total		389	(3)
National team
1993–2006	Switzerland	72	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Stéphane Henchoz (French pronunciation: ​[ɑ̃ʃo]; born 7 September 1974 in Billens) is a former Swiss international footballer and Liverpool F.C. player who played as a defender.^[1] He was capped 72 times and played for his country at Euro 1996 and Euro 2004.

Career

Early career

Henchoz first came to notice playing in the German Bundesliga for Hamburger SV.

Blackburn Rovers

In June 1997, he turned down an opportunity to join Manchester United, instead signing for Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £3 million.^[2] 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 by Liverpool.

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 City that led to extra time (the match itself was only settled on penalties). Henchoz also famously blocked a goalbound Thierry Henry shot with his arm in the 17th minute of that year's FA Cup Final, contributing to Liverpool's victory in the match.

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.

Celtic

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.

Wigan Athletic

Upon the expiration of his Celtic contract, Henchoz opted to move back to the Premier League, signing a one-year contract with newly promoted Wigan Athletic.^[3] He made 26 league appearances during the 2005–06 season as the club exceeded expectations with a top half finish. Henchoz also started for Wigan in the 2006 Football League Cup Final.

Return to Blackburn Rovers

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 19 May, when he was released by Mark Hughes.

Henchoz ended ending his career on 13 October 2008, he is currently looking into football coaching and is studying for his coaching badges.

International career

Henchoz played for Switzerland in UEFA Euro 1996 and UEFA Euro 2004. He was expected to play in the FIFA World Cup 2006, but due to health problems he retired on 31 March 2006.

Career statistics

Honours

Liverpool

• FA Cup: 2000–01
• League Cup: 2000–01, 2002–03
• FA Charity Shield: 2001
• UEFA Cup: 2000–01
• UEFA Super Cup: 2001

Celtic

• Scottish Cup: 2004–05

Notes

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

External links

• Player profile at LFChistory.net
• Stéphane Henchoz career stats at Soccerbase

v t e Switzerland squad – UEFA Euro 1996 1 Pascolo 2 Hottiger 3 Quentin 4 Henchoz 5 Geiger (c) 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 t 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