Maik Franz
Encyclopedia
Maik Franz is a German footballer currently playing for Hertha BSC.
near Halbstadt, and began his football career there with SV Langenstein/Harz. In 1997, he transferred to VfB Germania Halberstadt, before joining 1. FC Magdeburg
's youth division in the summer of 1998. As part of the A-Youth team, Franz won the DFB-Youth-Cup in 1999.
Franz played defence for 1. FC Magdeburg
until 2001, when he transferred to VfL Wolfsburg
, where played the same position in the Bundesliga
. In Wolfsburg, Franz distinguished himself through his strong tackling, winning 63 percent of his challenges, making him the clubs best played in this respect. He played 91 Bundesliga-matches during his time in Wolfsburg, scoring twice.
In July 2006, Franz transferred to the 2nd Bundesliga
, joining Karlsruher SC
. Together with Mario Eggimann
, he formed the central defence of Karlsruhe's starting eleven, and with his Bundesliga experience, he played a crucial role in the club's promotion to the top flight. After a strong start in the 2008–09 season, both for Franz and his club, he extended his contract until 2011. After Eggimann transferred to Hannover 96
in the summer of 2008, Franz took over the captain's armband at Karlsruher SC.
Having sustained a serious injury to his right foot in October 2008, Franz had to undergo surgery in January of the following year, and was unable to play for three months. In April 2009, he celebrated his comeback in a home match against 1899 Hoffenheim.
After the KSC was relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season, Franz signed a contract with Eintracht Frankfurt
, valid only for the Bundesliga. When Eintracht Frankfurt were also relegated to years later, Franz and the club were unable to agree on a contract that was also valid for the 2nd division.
On 24 June 2011, Hertha BSC announced they had signed Franz on a three year deal.
, and Karlsruher SC. Stuttgart-star Mario Gómez
grossly insulted Franz for his player style. He later retracted his words, but maintained his criticism of Franz. As a result, both the criticism and support for Franz (KSC fans nicknamed him "Iron Maik") intensified. Following the release of an official report on the incident, the discussion faded out over the following weeks. In April 2011, Werder Bremen
captain Torsten Frings
and manager Thomas Schaaf
criticised Franz for having elbowed Denni Avdić
in the face during an aerial challenge.
Due to his play style, Franz is frequently booked. In the 2009–10 season, he donated 500 Euro to charity for each of his eleven yellow cards. In 2010–11, Franz was booked thirteen times in twenty-three matches.
against Northern Ireland
. He was part of the German squad for the 2004 U21 European Championship
, making his only appearance in against Sweden
.
Career
Franz grew up in LangensteinLangenstein, Saxony-Anhalt
Langenstein is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the town Halberstadt. The World War II concentration camp Langenstein-Zwieberge was located here....
near Halbstadt, and began his football career there with SV Langenstein/Harz. In 1997, he transferred to VfB Germania Halberstadt, before joining 1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg is a German association football club playing in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt.-History:Football has been played in Magdeburg since the end of the 19th century. On 15 June 1896 SV Victoria 96 Magdeburg was founded, a club that had its best days before World War II, when it participated...
's youth division in the summer of 1998. As part of the A-Youth team, Franz won the DFB-Youth-Cup in 1999.
Franz played defence for 1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg is a German association football club playing in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt.-History:Football has been played in Magdeburg since the end of the 19th century. On 15 June 1896 SV Victoria 96 Magdeburg was founded, a club that had its best days before World War II, when it participated...
until 2001, when he transferred to VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
, where played the same position in the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
. In Wolfsburg, Franz distinguished himself through his strong tackling, winning 63 percent of his challenges, making him the clubs best played in this respect. He played 91 Bundesliga-matches during his time in Wolfsburg, scoring twice.
In July 2006, Franz transferred to the 2nd Bundesliga
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...
, joining Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
. Together with Mario Eggimann
Mario Eggimann
Mario Eggimann is a Swiss football defender currently playing for Hannover 96. He also plays for the Swiss National team.-Career:...
, he formed the central defence of Karlsruhe's starting eleven, and with his Bundesliga experience, he played a crucial role in the club's promotion to the top flight. After a strong start in the 2008–09 season, both for Franz and his club, he extended his contract until 2011. After Eggimann transferred to Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
in the summer of 2008, Franz took over the captain's armband at Karlsruher SC.
Having sustained a serious injury to his right foot in October 2008, Franz had to undergo surgery in January of the following year, and was unable to play for three months. In April 2009, he celebrated his comeback in a home match against 1899 Hoffenheim.
After the KSC was relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season, Franz signed a contract with Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
, valid only for the Bundesliga. When Eintracht Frankfurt were also relegated to years later, Franz and the club were unable to agree on a contract that was also valid for the 2nd division.
On 24 June 2011, Hertha BSC announced they had signed Franz on a three year deal.
Attributes
In the 2007–08 season, Franz was openly criticised for his play style, distinguished by hard challenges and continuous provocation of opposing players. The criticism reached its height in February 2008, following the match between VfB StuttgartVfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, and Karlsruher SC. Stuttgart-star Mario Gómez
Mario Gómez
Mario Gómez García is a German footballer who plays as a striker for FC Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga. Gómez joined Bayern after six years in Stuttgart. The fee was a record for a player transferred in the Bundesliga, estimated to be 30–35 million euro...
grossly insulted Franz for his player style. He later retracted his words, but maintained his criticism of Franz. As a result, both the criticism and support for Franz (KSC fans nicknamed him "Iron Maik") intensified. Following the release of an official report on the incident, the discussion faded out over the following weeks. In April 2011, 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...
captain Torsten Frings
Torsten Frings
Torsten Frings is a German football midfielder who plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer and is known for his vision and an explosive, powerful shot.-Early career:...
and manager Thomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf
Thomas Schaaf is a former German football defender and current manager of Werder Bremen. A true one-club man, he spent his entire playing career, and so far coaching career, with Werder Bremen...
criticised Franz for having elbowed Denni Avdić
Denni Avdic
Denni Avdić is a Swedish footballer who plays for Werder Bremen as a striker. He grew up in Huskvarna, where he played for Husqvarna FF. He has played one game for the Sweden national football team....
in the face during an aerial challenge.
Due to his play style, Franz is frequently booked. In the 2009–10 season, he donated 500 Euro to charity for each of his eleven yellow cards. In 2010–11, Franz was booked thirteen times in twenty-three matches.
International Career
On 12 February 2002, Franz made his debut for the German U21 national teamGermany national under-21 football team
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....
against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
. He was part of the German squad for the 2004 U21 European Championship
2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2004 was the 14th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Germany between 27 May and 8 June 2004.Italy U-21s won the competition for the fifth time...
, making his only appearance in against Sweden
Sweden national under-21 football team
The Swedish U-21 national football team is the football team representing Sweden in competitions for under-21 year old players. Sweden U21's current captain is Jiloan Hamad with Jakob Johansson as vice captain.-UEFA European U-21 Championship Record:...
.
External links
- Maik Franz at worldfootball.net