Thomas Flögel

Thomas Flögel
	Flögel in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth	7 June 1971 (age 53)
Place of birth	Vienna, Austria
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Vienna FC (Sporting director)
Youth career
1987–1990	Austria Wien
Senior career*
Years	Team
1990–1997	Austria Wien
1997–2002	Hearts
2002–2004	Austria Wien
2004–2005	Pasching
2005–2006	Admira Wacker
2006	Vienna FC
International career
1992–2003	Austria
Managerial career
2014–2015	SC Wienerberg Jugend
2015	Floridsdorfer AC Jugend
2015	Floridsdorfer AC II
2015–2016	Floridsdorfer AC (interim manager)
2017–	SKN St. Pölten II
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas Flögel (born 7 June 1971) is an Austrian football manager and former player.

Club career

Born in Vienna and the son of former Rapid Wien player Rudi Flögel, Flögel began his career with their local rivals Austria Wien. 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 three 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 third game for the side forced his retirement. On 4 September 2006, he was announced as First Vienna's new sporting director.

International career

Flögel achieved international recognition while playing for Austria Wien, making his Austria debut in a 4–0 win over Lithuania in 1992. After being left in the international wilderness for five years (from 1995–2000), 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 three goals.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Austria	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

Austria Wien

Austrian League: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2002–03
Austrian Cup: 1989–90, 1991–92, 1993–94, 2002–03
Austrian Supercup: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Heart of Midlothian

Scottish Cup: 1997–98

External links

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