Jürgen Macho
Encyclopedia
Jürgen Macho is an Austria
n footballer who plays for Panionios F.C. in the Greek first division, as a goalkeeper.
, where he spent three seasons before leaving for English
Premier League side Sunderland
in 2000.
At Sunderland, Macho spent three seasons as the second-choice keeper, behind Danish international
Thomas Sørensen
, and managed a total of 22 league appearances. He then transferred to Chelsea
for the 2003–04 season, but was mostly fourth-choice there. He suffered a serious season-long injury, and subsequently failed to make a single competitive appearance with the team.
In August 2004, having been released from the remaining year of his Chelsea contract, Macho left the club to join Austrian Bundesliga side SK Rapid Wien
, on what was scheduled to be a year-long loan deal. However, he spent just four months there, managing eight league appearances, as well as two in the UEFA Cup
.
In January 2005, Macho joined Germany
's 1. FC Kaiserslautern
, where he first spent six months as the third-choice, behind Tim Wiese
and Thomas Ernst
. However, he managed to become the starter in 2005–06, as Wiese left for SV Werder Bremen
. He subsequently made a total of 20 league appearances that season, but missed nearly the entire second part of the season due to an injury. He continued to be Kaiserslautern's main goalkeeper during 2006–07, with the team now in the second division
, to where it was relegated after finishing 16th in the topflight the previous season.
On 31 August 2007, Macho joined AEK Athens F.C. in Greece
. He was soon selected as the side's first-choice, ahead of Brazil
ian Marcelo Moretto
, who failed to impress. On March 26, 2009, it was announced he would be released from contract after it expired in June.
Macho was in training with Premier League's Wigan Athletic
in view to a permanent move, but the transfer was cancelled on 29 September 2009.
On 5 November 2009, after a few months without a club, Macho returned to his country after five years, signing with LASK Linz
. At the end of the season
, however, he moved to Greece again, joining Panionios FC.
in 2002, going on to amass 20 internationals, including two 2006 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
in October 2005.
On 16 November 2007, in a friendly against England
, he swallowed his tongue after a collision with Peter Crouch
. His life was saved by Austria's chief medic. In UEFA Euro 2008, Macho played all three group stage matches for the hosts, in an eventual group stage exit.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n footballer who plays for Panionios F.C. in the Greek first division, as a goalkeeper.
Club career
Macho started his first-team career with Wiener Sport-Club in 1996, and moved after one season to First Vienna FCFirst Vienna FC
First Vienna FC is an Austrian association football club based in the Döbling district of Vienna. Established on 22 August 1894, it is the country's oldest team and has played a notable role in the history of the game there...
, where he spent three seasons before leaving for English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Premier League side Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in 2000.
At Sunderland, Macho spent three seasons as the second-choice keeper, behind Danish international
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
, and managed a total of 22 league appearances. He then transferred to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for the 2003–04 season, but was mostly fourth-choice there. He suffered a serious season-long injury, and subsequently failed to make a single competitive appearance with the team.
In August 2004, having been released from the remaining year of his Chelsea contract, Macho left the club to join Austrian Bundesliga side SK Rapid Wien
SK Rapid Wien
The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times...
, on what was scheduled to be a year-long loan deal. However, he spent just four months there, managing eight league appearances, as well as two in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
In January 2005, Macho joined Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's 1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
, where he first spent six months as the third-choice, behind Tim Wiese
Tim Wiese
Tim Wiese is a German goalkeeper who currently plays for Werder Bremen and the German national team. He joined Werder Bremen in 2005 from Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga.-Fortuna Köln:...
and Thomas Ernst
Thomas Ernst
Thomas Ernst is a retired German footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:Ernst started playing professionally with Eintracht Frankfurt. At the Hessian club, he could only amass five Bundesliga appearances in seven years combined, being barred by legendary Uli Stein...
. However, he managed to become the starter in 2005–06, as Wiese left for SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
. He subsequently made a total of 20 league appearances that season, but missed nearly the entire second part of the season due to an injury. He continued to be Kaiserslautern's main goalkeeper during 2006–07, with the team now in the second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
, to where it was relegated after finishing 16th in the topflight the previous season.
On 31 August 2007, Macho joined AEK Athens F.C. in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. He was soon selected as the side's first-choice, ahead of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Marcelo Moretto
Marcelo Moretto
Marcelo Moretto de Souza, known as Moretto is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Avaí Futebol Clube as a goalkeeper.-Early years:...
, who failed to impress. On March 26, 2009, it was announced he would be released from contract after it expired in June.
Macho was in training with Premier League's Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in view to a permanent move, but the transfer was cancelled on 29 September 2009.
On 5 November 2009, after a few months without a club, Macho returned to his country after five years, signing with LASK Linz
LASK Linz
LASK Linz is an Austrian association football club, from the Upper-Austrian state capital Linz. It is the oldest football club hailing from that region, and currently plays in the Austrian Football First League. The club's colours are black and white...
. At the end of the season
2009–10 Austrian Football Bundesliga
The 2009–10 Austrian Football Bundesliga is the 98th season of top-tier football in Austria. The competition is officially called tipp3-Bundesliga powered by T-Mobile, named after the Austrian betting company tipp3 and the Austrian branch of German mobile phone company T-Mobile. The season began on...
, however, he moved to Greece again, joining Panionios FC.
International career
Macho made his debuts for the Austrian national teamAustria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in 2002, going on to amass 20 internationals, including two 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
qualifiers
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for UEFA teams. A total of 51 teams took part, divided in 8 Groups - five groups of 6 teams each and three groups of 7 teams each - competing for 13 places in the World Cup...
in October 2005.
On 16 November 2007, in a friendly against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, he swallowed his tongue after a collision with Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch
Peter James Crouch is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the England national team.Crouch started his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur...
. His life was saved by Austria's chief medic. In UEFA Euro 2008, Macho played all three group stage matches for the hosts, in an eventual group stage exit.
Honours
- Rapid WienSK Rapid WienThe Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times...
:- Austrian League: 2004–05