Johann Vogel (footballer)

Johann Louis François Vogel (born 8 March 1977) is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent most of his professional with Grasshopper Club Zürich and PSV. In his later career, he played for Milan, Betis, and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Grasshoppers. At international level, he amassed 94 caps scoring twice for the Switzerland national team.

Johann Vogel
Personal information
Full name Johann Louis François Vogel
Date of birth (1977-03-08) 8 March 1977
Place of birth Geneva, Switzerland
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1984–1992 FC Meyrin
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1999 Grasshoppers 133 (13)
1999–2005 PSV 169 (7)
2005–2006 Milan 14 (0)
2006–2007 Betis 17 (0)
2008–2009 Blackburn Rovers 7 (0)
2012 Grasshoppers 3 (0)
Total 343 (20)
National team
Switzerland U21 7 (0)
1995–2007[1] Switzerland 94 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

Born in Geneva, Vogel joined Swiss amateur club FC Meyrin in his youth, but made the cut into professional football by joining Grasshopper Club Zürich. In his time at Grasshoppers, he usually played central defence or rightback although on occasion, he could be called to feature in a central defensive midfield role.

In his role as a defensive midfield player, in which he uses his ability to pass accurately and to effectively retain possession of the ball, Vogel can be counted on to add depth to either defence or attack.

PSV and Milan

Dutch club PSV sought his services in 1999 and he became a prominent member of the team until he decided to leave to join Milan at the end of the 2004–05 season. In his final season with PSV, he was noted for forming a formidable midfield partnership with Mark van Bommel and Phillip Cocu where the club managed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League tournament.

Real Betis

On 31 August 2006, he joined Real Betis in an exchange deal for Ricardo Oliveira. Vogel made his Betis debut against Athletic Bilbao on 10 September 2006 at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, which Betis won 3–0.

Vogel made his last La Liga appearance for Betis on 19 May 2007 against Tarragona. On 27 December 2007, he agreed to leave Betis after suing them.

Everton confirmed they were in talks to sign the player after being told he could leave his then club Real Betis in July 2007.[2] However the deal hit problems due to Real Betis wanting payment for him.[3]

Blackburn Rovers

On 18 March 2008, he agreed a two and a half year contract (with Blackburn having an option for a further year) with Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.[4][5] Vogel joined fellow Swiss footballers Stéphane Henchoz and Bruno Berner at Ewood Park, as well as his former PSV-colleague André Ooijer. After receiving International clearance to play for Blackburn Rovers on 25 March, he was given the number 8 shirt[6] by Mark Hughes, the shirt vacated by Robbie Savage after his move to Derby County.

Vogel made his debut for Rovers on 5 April against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, in the 2008–09 season, Vogel found himself frozen out at Ewood Park. He came on as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat by Liverpool.

On 7 April 2009, his contract was terminated by Blackburn Rovers with immediate effect and by mutual consent.[7] After that, he announced his retirement from professional football.

Grasshoppers comeback

Two and a half years after his retirement, Vogel decided to return to the field again. He made comeback with Grasshoppers where he made his professional debut and appeared in the starting line-up against FC Thun on 5 February 2012. After appearing in another two league matches, he retired for the second time.

International career

Vogel made his debut for Switzerland on 8 March 1995 in a 1–1 draw against Greece. Vogel has played in Euro 1996, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup and has made 94 appearances in total for his country. He scored his first goal on 10 March 1999 in a friendly against Austria.

Until 8 March 2007, he was the captain of Switzerland.

Career statistics
Sources:[8]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Grasshoppers1992–93Super League30———30
1993–9440———40
1994–95230———230
1995–96240———240
1996–97283———283
1997–98245——10255
1998–99275———275
Total 13313001013413
PSV1999–00Eredivisie312——40352
2000–0130110—100411
2001–02251——80331
2002–03321——60381
2003–04241——70311
2004–05271——130401
Total 169710—4802187
Milan2005–06Serie A14030——50220
Betis2006–07La Liga17010——180
2007–0800———00
Total 17010——180
Blackburn Rovers2007–08Premier League60———60
2008–0910———10
Total 70———70
Grasshoppers2011–12Super League30———30
Career total 3432020—54039920

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 March 1999Espenmoos, St. Gallen Austria1–12–4Friendly
2.15 August 2001Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna Austria1–02–1Friendly

Honours

Club

Grasshoppers

PSV Eindhoven

Individual

References
  1. "Johann Vogel – International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. "Vogel in talks with Everton and is set to have a medical". Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2007.
  3. "Sky Sports – Football – Premier League – Everton". Sky Sports.
  4. "Blackburn Rovers sign Johann Vogel". Archived from the original on 21 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  5. "Vogel signs deal with Blackburn". BBC. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  6. "Blackburn Rover Website: Number 8 for Vogel". Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  7. "Vogel Released by Rovers – Blackburn Rovers Website | Football | Premier League". Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  8. "Johann Vogel | Blackburn Rovers | Team | 1st Team Profiles". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jörg Stiel		 Switzerland captain
2004-2007		 Succeeded by
Alexander Frei
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