Pontus Farnerud

Hans Pontus Farnerud (born 4 June 1980) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Starting off his professional career with Landskrona BoIS in the late 1990s, he went on to represent Monaco, Strasbourg, Sporting, and Stabaek before finishing up his career at IFK Göteborg in 2013. He won 11 caps for the Sweden national team between 2002 and 2010 and was a squad player for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2004.

Pontus Farnerud
Farnerud in February 2009
Personal information
Full name Hans Pontus Farnerud
Date of birth (1980-06-04) 4 June 1980
Place of birth Helsingborg, Sweden
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Landskrona BoIS 55 (14)
1998–2003 Monaco B 17 (4)
1998–2005 Monaco 94 (5)
2003–2004 → Strasbourg (loan) 30 (0)
2005–2006 Strasbourg 32 (3)
2006–2008 Sporting CP 23 (0)
2008–2011 Stabæk 88 (8)
2012–2013 IFK Göteborg 49 (5)
2014 Glumslöv 1 (0)
Total 389 (39)
National team
1996–1997 Sweden U17 10 (1)
1998–1999 Sweden U19 20 (2)
2000–2001 Sweden U21 14 (6)
2002–2010 Sweden 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Farnerud was born in Helsingborg, and grew up in Landskrona. After starting professionally at 16 with Landskrona BoIS, he was acquired in 1999 by French club AS Monaco FC, and appeared in 15 Ligue 1 matches as the team won the 2000 national title; after spending the 2003–04 season on loan to fellow league side RC Strasbourg he returned,[1] playing six games in the UEFA Champions League and scoring once in the league, after only one minute on the pitch for a 2–1 home win against FC Nantes.

In June 2005, Farnerud was bought definitely by Strasbourg, reuniting with younger brother Alexander.[2] The pair (with Pontus only missing six league contests) could not prevent a final relegation, as second from the bottom.

Afterwards, Farnerud moved to Sporting CP on a free transfer,[3] being scarcely used during his two-year stint in Portugal. He then returned north to Norway, signing a long-term contract with Stabæk Fotball on 23 July 2008. He helped to a national championship in his debut campaign, eventually being named team captain.

Farnerud spent his two last seasons as a professional back in his homeland, with IFK Göteborg.[4] In late 2013, he retired from the game due to a recurrent hip injury, but returned the following year with amateurs Glumslövs FF (seventh division).[5]

In May 2019, it was announced that Farnerud would take the position as assistant director of football at Göteborg.[6]

International career

Farnerud was a Swedish international from 13 February 2002 to 23 January 2010, making his debut in a 2–2 friendly away draw against Greece where he featured 29 minutes. He was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2004, but did not leave the bench on either occasion.

Personal life

Farnerud's younger brother, Alexander, is also a footballer. He too is a midfielder and former Swedish international.[7][8]

After retiring, Farnerud worked as a French League pundit for the TV company C More Entertainment.[9]

Honours

Monaco

Sporting

Stabæk

Göteborg

References
  1. Les suédois passés par le championnat de France (Swedes with spells in the French championship); Sport 365, 7 November 2016 (in French)
  2. Strasbourg secure second Farnerud; UEFA, 16 June 2005
  3. Sporting chance for Farnerud; UEFA, 22 June 2006
  4. Farnerud klar för IFK Göteborg (Farnerud signs for IFK Göteborg) Archived 5 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine; IFK Göteborg, 3 February 2012 (in Swedish)
  5. Pontus Farnerud klar för Glumslövs FF!(Pontus Farnerud signs for Glumslövs FF!); Glumslövs FF, 20 August 2014 (in Swedish)
  6. Farnerud om sportchefsjobbet i Blåvitt: "Självklart tackade jag ja" (Farnerud about the blue-and-white sporting director job: "Of course I appreciated it"); Fotbollskanalen, 31 May 2019 (in Swedish)
  7. Farnerud till storklubb (Farnerud to giants); Aftonbladet, 22 June 2006 (in Swedish)
  8. Inget Bröndby för Farnerud (No Bröndby for Farnerud); Expressen, 17 July 2008 (in Swedish)
  9. Pontus Farnerud blir ny Ibrahimovic-expert (Pontus Farnerud becomes new expert on Ibrahimovic); Expressen, 17 December 2014 (in Swedish)
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