Johann Vogel

This article is about the Swiss footballer. For the German composer, see Johann Vogel (composer).

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
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1984–1992	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)
International career
	Switzerland U21	7	(0)
1995–2007	Switzerland	94	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Johann Louis François Vogel (born 8 March 1977 in Geneva) is a former Swiss footballer.

Club career

Early career

Vogel joined Swiss amateur club Meyrin in his youth, but made the cut into professional football by joining Grasshoppers. 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. However the deal hit problems due to Real Betis wanting payment for him.

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. 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 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. 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

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	Grasshoppers	Super League	3	0	—		—		—		3	0
1993–94			4	0	—		—		—		4	0
1994–95			23	0	—		—		—		23	0
1995–96			24	0	—		—		—		24	0
1996–97			28	3	—		—		—		28	3
1997–98			24	5	—		—		1	0	25	5
1998–99			27	5	—		—		—		27	5
Netherlands			League		KNVB Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
1999–00	PSV	Eredivisie	31	2	—		—		4	0	35	2
2000–01			30	1	1	0	—		10	0	41	1
2001–02			25	1	—		—		8	0	33	1
2002–03			32	1	—		—		6	0	38	1
2003–04			24	1	—		—		7	0	31	1
2004–05			27	1	—		—		13	0	40	1
Italy			League		Coppa Italia		League Cup		Europe		Total
2005–06	Milan	Serie A	14	0	3	0	—	—	5	0	22	0
Spain			League		Copa del Rey		Supercopa de España		Europe		Total
2006–07	Betis	La Liga	17	0	1	0	—		—		18	0
2007–08			0	0	—		—		—		0	0
England			League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2007–08	Blackburn Rovers	Premier League	6	0	—		—		—		6	0
2008–09			1	0	—		—		—		1	0
Switzerland			League		Schweizer Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2011–12	Grasshoppers	Super League	3	0	—		—		—		3	0
Total	Switzerland		136	13	—		—		1	0	137	13
	Netherlands		169	7	1	0	—		48	0	218	7
	Italy		14	0	3	0	—	—	5	0	22	0
	Spain		17	0	1	0	—		—		18	0
	England		7	0	—		—		—		7	0
Career total			343	20	2	0	—		54	0	399	20

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	10 March 1999	Espenmoos, St. Gallen	Austria	1–1	2–4	Friendly
2.	15 August 2001	Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna	Austria	1–0	2–1	Friendly

Honours

Grasshopper

• Swiss National League A: 3

1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98

• Swiss Cup: 1

1994

PSV Eindhoven

• Eredivisie: 4

1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2004–05

• KNVB Cup: 1

2004–05

• Johan Cruijff-schaal: 3

2000, 2001, 2003

Individual

• Dutch Footballer of the Year: 1

2001

External links

• Official website (German) (French)
• Johann Vogel – FIFA competition record
• Johann Vogel career statistics at Soccerbase
• Official La Liga career stats (Spanish)

Sporting positions
Preceded by Jörg Stiel	Switzerland captain 2004-2007	Succeeded by Alexander Frei