Thomas Flögel

Thomas Flögel

Personal information
Date of birth	June 7, 1971 (1971-06-07)
Place of birth	Vienna, Austria
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position	versatile
Club information
Current club	Vienna FC (Sporting Director)
Youth career
1987–1990	Austria Wien
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1990–1997	Austria Vienna	248	(43)
1997–2002	Hearts	137	(10)
2002–2004	Austria Vienna	53	(2)
2004–2005	Pasching	24	(0)
2005–2006	Admira Wacker	25	(1)
2006	Vienna FC	3	(0)
National team‡
1992–2003	Austria	37	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 June 2008. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 June 2008

Thomas Flögel (born 7 June 1971 in Vienna) is an Austrian former international football player, who is currently the sporting director of Austrian Regionalliga side Vienna FC.

Club career

The son of former Rapid Vienna player Rudi Flögel, Thomas began his career with their local rivals Austria Vienna. He made his first-team break-through in 1990 and spent the next seven seasons at the Franz Horr Stadium. During this time, the Violets won 3 consecutive League titles (1991-93) and the Austrian Cup in 1992 and 1994. However, after a lean spell in the mid-1990s, during which FK Austria were over-shadowed by SV Salzburg, Flögel decided to try playing abroad, eventually signing for Scottish side Heart of Midlothian in 1997, after a trial with Dundee United.

Heart of Midlothian

Flögel enjoyed instant success with the Edinburgh club, helping them end a 36 year trophy drought by winning the Scottish Cup in 1998. Although initially considered a midfielder, Flögel displayed great versatility during his time with Hearts, and played in every outfield position during a five season-spell at Tynecastle.

Back in Austria

In 2002 Flögel returned to former club FK Austria, who were buoyed by significant investment from billionaire Frank Stronach, and won the Double in his first season back in Vienna. FK Austria's new financial clout ensured fierce competition for first-team places though, and after struggling to maintain his place in the team in 2004, Flögel moved to SV Pasching.

Flögel wound down his career with season-long spells with Pasching (2004-05) and VfB Admira Wacker Mödling (2005-06). He had intended to spend a final year playing for First Vienna, however a serious shoulder injury in only his 3rd game for the side forced his retirement. On the 4 September 2006 he was announced as First Vienna's new sporting director.

International career

Flögel achieved international recognition while playing for Austria, making his Austria debut in a 4-0 win over Lithuania in 1992. After being left in the international wilderness for 6 years (from 1994-2000), his consistent form with Hearts earned him a recall to the Austria national side and he increased his cap tally to 37, in which time he scored 3 goals.

National team statistics

Austria national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1992	6	0
1993	1	0
1994	2	0
1995	0	0
1996	0	0
1997	0	0
1998	0	0
1999	0	0
2000	6	2
2001	9	1
2002	5	0
2003	8	0
Total	37	3

Honours

• Austrian League: 4

1990-91, 1991-92, 19992-1993, 2002-03

• Austrian Cup: 4

1989-90, 1991-92, 1993-94, 2002-03

• Austrian Supercup: 4

1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

• Scottish Cup: 1

1997-98

External links

• Thomas Flogel career stats at Soccerbase
• Appearances at londonhearts.com
• Profile at Austria-archiv.at (German)
• Thomas Flögel at National-Football-Teams.com