A former Middlesbrough fan favourite is now set to land a Premier League role.
Crystal Palace have recently changed managers.
The club have replaced former England boss Roy Hodgson with Austrian coach Tom Glasner; the 49-year-old enjoyed a 20 year playing career in Austria but has made his name in the dugout.
Glasner has had spells in charge of Austrian duo SV Ried and LASK, as well as Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, the latter he won the Europa League with in 2022.
Now though, Glasner is set to try his hand in England at Selhurst Park, and he’s set to bring a former Middlesbrough player with him too.
Emmanuel Pogatetz set for Crystal Palace role under Tom Glasner
Middlesbrough fans will remember the name Emanuel Pogatetz very well.
The Austrian centre-back spent five years at Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2010 making 158 total appearances for the club, and was part of the Boro side that reached the FA Cup semi-final, League Cup quarter-final, and UEFA Cup final during the 2005/06 season.
Signed by Steve McClaren, Pogatetz earned a reputation for being a no-nonsense, hardened defender, and the 61-cap former Austrian international has since made his name in the dugout having been an assistant with the likes of FC Juniors, LASK Linz, and St Polen, all in his native Austria.
Now, the former Middlesbrough man is set to join Glasner’s staff at Crystal Palace, as reported by Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel:
Former Middlesbrough man will bring steel to Palace backroom
Little is known about Pogatetz as a coach and a no.2.
But given the length of his playing career and the fact that he played for teams throughout Europe like Middlesbrough, West Ham Wolfsburg, and Hanover, even having a spell in the MLS with Columbus Crew and racking up plenty of caps on the international stage, he should bring a huge degree of experience to the staff.
And if his coaching mentality is anything like his playing mentality, then he’ll certainly add some steel and bite to the team.
He was a player who never shied out of an aerial battle or a tackle and expect that to be his mantra as a coach under Glasner at Crystal Palace.
As for Pogatetz’s former team Middlesbrough, they’ll be hoping to join Palace in the Premier League sooner rather than later, though it looks like that attempt will have to wait until next season.
Michael Carrick now finds his side in 13th place of the table after a 2-1 win at Leicester City last weekend, with 10 points separating Boro and the top six.
Up next for Middlesbrough is a home game vs Plymouth Argyle this weekend whilst Pogatetz and Crystal Palace host Burnley.