Stéphane Henchoz

Stéphane Henchoz

Personal information
Full name	Stéphane Henchoz
Date of birth	7 September 1974 (1974-09-07)
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	71	(0)
1999–2005	Liverpool	135	(0)
2005	Celtic	6	(0)
2005–2006	Wigan Athletic	26	(0)
2006–2008	Blackburn Rovers	11	(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 (born 7 September 1974 in Billens) is a former Swiss international footballer who last played for Blackburn Rovers as a defender. He has been 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. After signing for Blackburn Rovers in 1997, 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 pounds 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.

Post-Liverpool

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. However, upon the expiration of that contract, Henchoz opted to move back to the Premiership with newly promoted Wigan Athletic. Whilst at Wigan he started in the 2006 Football League Cup Final.

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. He was reported of ending his career on 13 October 2008, he now intends to study for his coaching badge.

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

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
1992–93	Neuchâtel Xamax	National League A	35	0
1993–94			21	1
1994–95			35	0
Germany			League		DFB-Pokal		Premiere Ligapokal		Europe		Total
1995–96	Hamburger SV	Bundesliga	31	2
1996–97			18	0
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
1997–98	Blackburn Rovers	Premier League	36	0
1998–99			34	0
1999–00	Liverpool	Premier League	29	0
2000–01			32	0
2001–02			37	0
2002–03			19	0
2003–04			18	0
2004–05			0	0
Scotland			League		Scottish Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2004–05	Celtic	Premier League	6	0
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2005–06	Wigan Athletic	Premier League	26	0
2006–07	Blackburn Rovers	Premier League	12	0
2007–08			0	0
Total	Switzerland		91	1
	Germany		49	2
	England		243	0
	Scotland		6	0
Career total			389	3

Honours

UEFA Cup

• 2000–01

FA Cup

• 2000–01

Football League Cup

• 2000–01, 2002–03

UEFA Super Cup

• 2001

FA Community Shield

• 2001

Scottish Cup

• 2004–05

External links

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