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.


Stéphane Henchoz (French pronunciation: ​[ɑ̃ʃo]; born 7 September 1974 in Billens) is a former Swiss international footballer who played as a defender, most notably for the English club Liverpool.[1] He was capped 72 times and played for his country from his debut in 1993, and played 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 on a six-month contract in January 2005.[3]

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.[4] 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 his career on 13 October 2008, he is currently looking into football coaching and is studying for his coaching badges.

International career

Henchoz earned 72 caps for Switzerland from his debut in 1993. He played for the country at Euro 96 and Euro 2004. He was expected to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but due to health problems he retired from international football on 31 March 2006.

Career statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Switzerland League Schweizer Cup League Cup Europe Total
1992–93Neuchâtel XamaxNational League A350350
1993–94211211
1994–95350350
Germany League DFB-Pokal Other Europe Total
1995–96Hamburger SVBundesliga312312
1996–97180180
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1997–98Blackburn RoversPremier League360401000410
1998–99340203020410
1999–2000LiverpoolPremier League290202000330
2000–013205060100530
2001–02370200015056[nb 1]0
2002–0319020406032[nb 1]0
2003–04180401040270
2004–050000301040
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
2004–05CelticPremier League6020000080
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2005–06Wigan AthleticPremier League260204000320
2006–07Blackburn RoversPremier League120201010160
2007–080000000000
Total Switzerland 911911
Germany 492492
England 24302502503903320
Scotland 6020000080
Career total 38932702503904803

Honours

Liverpool
Celtic

Notes

  1. 1 2 Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

  1. ↑ "Henchoz, Stephane" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. ↑ "Rovers Grab Head Honcho". The Mirror. MGN. 17 June 1997. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Henchoz completes Celtic switch". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 29 January 2005. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Henchoz ready for basement battle". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. 26 July 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
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