Stéphane Henchoz

Early career

Born in Billens, Switzerland, Henchoz first came to notice playing in the German Bundesliga for Hamburger SV.

Blackburn Rovers

In June 1997, he turned down an opportunity to join Manchester United, instead signing for Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £3 million. Henchoz enjoyed a very successful debut Premiership season as Rovers finished sixth in 1997–98, although they were then relegated at the end of the 1998–99 season. Henchoz, however, remained in the Premiership, after being purchased for £3.5 million 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 clumsy challenge on Martin O'Connor 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 is also remembered for inadvertently blocking a goalbound Thierry Henry shot with his arm in the 17th minute of that year's FA Cup final, Liverpool then went on to win the match with two Michael Owen finishes. 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…

Henchoz earned 72 caps for the Switzerland national team from his debut in 1993. He played for the country at Euro 96 and Euro 2004. He was expected to play in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but due to health problems he retired from international football on 31 March 2006.

After retiring, Henchoz became manager of Blackburn Rovers's U18 team which he was until June 2009. He then became manager of FC Bulle for the 2009–10 season. In December 2015, he was appointed assistant manager of Neuchâtel Xamax. On 6 February 2019, the club announced, that they had sacked Michel Decastel and Henchoz would take charge of the club for the rest of the season. At the end of March 2019, the club confirmed that Henchoz would leave his position at the end of the season. On 27 May 2019, Henchoz was appointed manager of Sion for the upcoming 2019–20 season. He resigned on 4 November 2019 following a 3–0 loss to St. Gallen, which was the fifth loss in six league games. In July 2020, he returned to Neuchâtel Xamax.

Liverpool

FA Cup: 2000–01 Football League Cup: 2000–01, 2002–03 FA Charity Shield: 2001 UEFA Cup: 2000–01 UEFA Super Cup: 2001 Celtic

Scottish Cup: 2004–05 Wigan Athletic

Football League Cup runner-up: 2005–06 Individual

Credit Suisse Player of the Year: 2001, 2002