Heiko Westermann Explained

Heiko Westermann
Fullname:Heiko Westermann[1]
Birth Date:14 August 1983
Birth Place:Alzenau, West Germany
Height:1.90 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Barcelona (assistant coach)
Youthyears1:1988–1994
Youthclubs1:SG Schimborn
Youthyears2:1994–1998
Youthclubs2:1. FC Hösbach
Youthyears3:1998–2000
Youthclubs3:FC Bayern Alzenau
Years1:2000–2003
Caps1:37
Goals1:1
Years2:2002–2005
Caps2:83
Goals2:2
Years3:2005–2007
Clubs3:Arminia Bielefeld
Caps3:67
Goals3:5
Years4:2007–2010
Clubs4:Schalke 04
Caps4:92
Goals4:12
Years5:2010–2015
Clubs5:Hamburger SV
Caps5:159
Goals5:9
Years6:2015–2016
Clubs6:Real Betis
Caps6:20
Goals6:1
Years7:2016–2017
Clubs7:Ajax
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2016–2017
Clubs8:Ajax II
Caps8:4
Goals8:0
Years9:2017–2018
Clubs9:Austria Wien
Caps9:10
Goals9:0
Totalcaps:476
Totalgoals:30
Nationalyears1:2003–2004
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2003–2004
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2008–2014
Nationalteam3:Germany
Nationalcaps3:27
Nationalgoals3:4
Manageryears1:2024–
Managerclubs1:Barcelona (assistant)

Heiko Westermann (born 14 August 1983) is a German former professional footballer who is currently the assistant coach of La Liga club Barcelona.[2]

Club career

Greuther Fürth

Westermann began his professional career with 2. Bundesliga club Greuther Fürth. He joined the senior squad in July 2002 but did not make his first appearance until 26 January 2003 in a 1–0 win over MSV Duisburg. He played a total of 83 league games in his three seasons with the club, scoring two goals.[3]

Arminia Bielefeld

Following the 2004–05 season, Westermann signed for recently promoted Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld. In his first season, he played in every single game for Bielefeld, including 34 league and five DFB-Pokal matches. The following season Westermann remained an integral part of the team, missing only one match.[1]

Schalke 04

Westermann moved to Schalke 04 in 2007 for a fee of €2.8 million. He played his first game for Schalke on 24 July in a Ligapokal fixture against 1. FC Nürnberg. Schalke won 4–2 with Westermann contributing one goal. Missing Schalke's first two league games through injury, Westermann made his Bundesliga debut for the club on 26 August 2007. He was substituted on in the 79th minute for Rafinha in a third round match against VfL Wolfsburg. For the remainder of the season, Westermann started all 31 of Schalke's Bundesliga matches. He was also instrumental in Schalke's Champions League campaign, being the only outfield player for the club to play every single minute.[4]

With new coach Fred Rutten taking charge of Schalke for the 2008–09 season, combined with his keen eye for goal, Westermann has often been positioned in midfield. The current season has been Westermann's highest scoring yet. He scored both goals in a 2–0 DFB-Pokal win over Hannover 96. He also scored a goal in three consecutive Bundesliga matches including the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw against Werder Bremen and a game-winning goal against VfL Bochum.

Hamburger SV

In July 2010, Westermann agreed to a transfer to Hamburger SV, reportedly in the region of €7.5 million.[5] Despite being a new signing, he was named new captain by then HSV coach Armin Veh.[6] On 9 April 2013, following a run of bad results, including a 9–2 drubbing by Bayern Munich, Rafael van der Vaart was announced as Westermann's successor as the club's captain, in a bid to relieve him of mounting pressure.[7] [8] On 25 June 2015, Hamburg confirmed Westermann's contract would not be renewed for the 2015–16 campaign.[9]

Betis

On 6 August 2015 Westermann signed a two-year deal with Real Betis, newly promoted to La Liga.[10] He received his first ever career red card on 28 November 2015 after his second bookable offence against Levante.[11]

Ajax

On 14 July 2016, it was announced that Westermann had signed a two-year deal with Eredivisie side Ajax.[12] However, he was used sparingly, so he worked as a youth coach during his time there.[13]

Austria Wien

Shortly after his contract with Ajax had been dissolved, Westermann signed a two-year deal with Austrian side Austria Wien.[14]

He announced his departure from the club along with the end of his active player career in April 2018.[15]

International career

On 31 January 2008, Westermann was first called up by Germany's manager Joachim Löw for the friendly on 6 February 2008 at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion against Austria.[16] Germany won the match 3–0 and Westermann was in the starting eleven and played 90 minutes.[17] Westermann was part of the German team that finished in second place at Euro 2008. On 2 June 2009, Westermann scored the first international goal in Germany's 7–2 rout against United Arab Emirates national football team. He was part of Germany's preliminary selection for the World Cup 2010, but had to pull out because of an injury suffered in a friendly against Hungary.[18] He has been capped 27 times by Germany and has scored four goals for them since 2008.[19]

Personal life

Westermann's wife is named Irina, they married in June 2007.[20] In May 2008, the couple had their first daughter, Lana.[20] In October 2010, Nikita, their second daughter was born.[21]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[22]
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Greuther Fürth2002–032. Bundesliga16000160
2003–0434041381
2005–0633221353
Total832620000894
Arminia Bielefeld2005–06Bundesliga34250392
2006–0733310345
Total675600000735
Schalke 042007–08Bundesliga3243110021476
2008–093364281459
2009–1027241313
Total92121141812112318
Hamburger SV2010–11Bundesliga34220362
2011–1233131362
2012–1334310353
2013–143033020353
2014–152802110311
Total1599112003017311
Real Betis2015–16La Liga20100201
Ajax2016–17Eredivisie40103080
Jong Ajax2016–17Eerste Divisie4040
Austria Wien2017–18Austrian Bundesliga1002070190
Career total439293782815150939

International

Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Westermann goal.

List of international goals scored by Heiko Westermann
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 6 September 2008 Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein 6–0 6–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 2 June 2009 Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 1–0 7–2 Friendly
3 7 September 2010 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany 1–0 6–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
4 2 June 2013 RFK Stadium, Washington, United States 1–2 3–4 Friendly

Honours

Ajax

Germany

Notes and References

  1. Web site: H. Westermann. Soccerway. 7 December 2013.
  2. Web site: Hansi Flick's staff. FC Barcelona. 13 July 2024 .
  3. Web site: Heiko Westermann - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga . Matthias . Arnhold . 28 August 2018 . 30 August 2018 . RSSSF.
  4. Web site: 5 - Heiko Westermann . . 8 March 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081021060635/http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/players/player%3D69864/index.html . 21 October 2008 . dead.
  5. Web site: Westermann leaves Schalke to join Hamburg. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023054332/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809598&sec=transfers&cc=5901. dead. 23 October 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 21 July 2010. 21 July 2010.
  6. Web site: kicker.tv: K-Frage beantwortet – Westermann HSV-Kapitän. kicker TV. 13 August 2010. 9 October 2012 . de.
  7. Web site: Van der Vaart handed Hamburg captaincy. espnfc.com . 9 April 2013. 9 April 2013.
  8. Web site: Van der Vaart neuer HSV-Kapitän. kicker. 9 April 2013. 9 April 2013 . de.
  9. Web site: Vielen Dank und alles Gute, Heiko! . de . Hamburger SV . 25 June 2015 . 25 June 2015 . 26 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150626143745/http://www.hsv.de/teams/meldungen/bundesliga/2015/juni/vielen-dank-und-alles-gute-heiko/ . dead .
  10. Web site: El Real Betis firma a Westermann para las dos próximas temporadas. Real Betis signs Westermann for the following two seasons. Betis' official website. es. 6 August 2015. 7 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170710112954/http://realbetisbalompie.es/es/noticias/actualidad/5108/el-real-betis-firma-westermann-para-las-dos-proxim. 10 July 2017. dead.
  11. News: European football: Unwanted records and Suarez set in stone. 1 December 2015 . 1 December 2015 . BBC Sport.
  12. Web site: Ajax contracteert Heiko Westermann . Ajax . nl . 14 July 2016 . 16 July 2016.
  13. Web site: Heiko Westermann over autoritjes met De Ligt en bankzitten bij Ajax . nl . vice.com . 8 May 2019 . 19 July 2020 . Dave . Aalbers.
  14. Web site: Westermann verlaat Ajax en tekent bij Austria Wien . nl . NOS . 3 July 2017 . 3 July 2017.
  15. Web site: Heiko Westermann beendet seine Karriere . mopo.de . 28 April 2018 . 28 April 2018 .
  16. Web site: Löw holt Westermann. kicker online. 31 January 2008. 2 December 2015. de.
  17. Web site: Löw-Elf ohne Glanz. kicker online. 6 February 2008. 2 December 2015. de.
  18. Web site: World Cup 2010: Germany defender Heiko Westermann ruled out with foot injury. Telegraph. 31 May 2009. 10 June 2009 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100615222638/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/germany/7789958/World-Cup-2010-Germany-defender-Heiko-Westermann-ruled-out-with-foot-injury.html . 15 June 2010.
  19. Web site: Heiko Westermann - International Appearances . Matthias . Arnhold . 28 August 2018 . 30 August 2018 . RSSSF.
  20. Web site: So tickt der neue HSV-Star . de . Hamburger Morgenpost . 6 July 2015.
  21. Web site: Glückwunsch: Westermann zum zweiten Mal Papa . de . Hamburger SV . 20 October 2010 . 6 July 2015 . 24 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045830/http://www.hsv.de/teams/meldungen/bundesliga/oktober-2010/glueckwunsch-westermann-zum-zweiten-mal-papa/ . dead .
  22. Web site: Heiko Westermann » Club matches. World Football. 5 December 2017.