Zoltán Gera
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 22 April 1979 | ||
Place of birth | Pécs, Hungary | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Vasas SC (manager) | ||
Youth career | |||
1993–1996 | Pécsi Bőrgyár | ||
Pécsi Zsolnay | |||
Pécsi Kinizsi | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1996–1997 | Harkány SE | ||
1997–2000 | Pécs | 71 | (14) |
2000–2004 | Ferencváros | 115 | (32) |
2004–2008 | West Bromwich Albion | 135 | (21) |
2008–2011 | Fulham | 86 | (5) |
2011–2014 | West Bromwich Albion | 30 | (4) |
2014–2018 | Ferencváros | 89 | (15) |
Total | 526 | (91) | |
International career | |||
1999–2000 | Hungary U21 | 3 | (0) |
2002–2017 | Hungary | 97 | (26) |
Managerial career | |||
2018–2019 | Ferencváros (assistant manager) | ||
2018–2021 | Hungary (assistant manager) | ||
2019–2024 | Hungary U21[2] | ||
2024– | Vasas SC[3] | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Zoltán Gera (Hungarian pronunciation:
Gera is known for his overhead-kick goals and his cartwheel to back-flip celebration, which he demonstrated in Fulham's Europa League quarter-final win against Juventus in 2010. He was named Hungarian Player of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2005. For his efforts in the 2009–10 season and his goals in the Europa League, Gera was named Fulham's Player of the Season.
Gera made his international debut for Hungary in 2002 against Switzerland, with his nation losing 2–1. In 2009, Gera briefly retired from the national team following a dispute with then-manager Erwin Koeman. When Koeman was replaced by Sándor Egervári in 2010, Gera returned to Hungary's international squad which he later represented at the 2016 UEFA European Championship. He announced his final retirement from football on 28 June 2018.[4]
Club career
Harkány SE
Gera started his professional career for Harkány SE in 1996, remaining there for one year before signing for
Pécsi Mecsek
Gera was signed by
Ferencváros
During his four-year spell at Ferencváros, Gera played 115 league games and scored 32 goals. He won the Hungarian league title in 2001 and 2004, the Magyar Kupa in 2003 and 2004, and the Szuperkupa in 2004. He also received his first international call up while with the club.
West Bromwich Albion
On 30 July 2004, Gera moved to English
The club struggled against relegation for most of the season, and Gera was portrayed by the media as an integral part of this struggle. Towards the end of the season, however, Gera's influence grew. He produced stirring performances, including a match-winning header against
Fulham
Gera made his Fulham debut in a 2–1 defeat to
Gera started the
On 16 June 2011, Fulham announced that Gera was available on a free transfer as one of three players that were being released by the club[20] Subsequently, Gera looked to rejoin his former club West Brom.[21]
Return to West Bromwich Albion
On 2 August 2011, West Brom boss Roy Hodgson announced that the club had signed Gera on a two-year deal.[22] On 5 November 2011, he made his second debut for West Brom as a starter in a 3–0 loss to Arsenal.[23] After three first team appearances, Gera was injured in a 3–1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on 26 November 2011; he was unavailable for the remainder of the season.[24] After nine months out due to his injury, Gera returned to the starting lineup against Liverpool on the first day of the 2012–13 Premier League season, opening the scoring with a volley from 25 yards, leading to a 3–0 win.[25] On 8 January 2013, it was confirmed Gera would be out injured for the rest of the season after he injured a knee in a game against Queens Park Rangers.[26] On 1 July 2013, Gera's contract with West Brom expired, making him a free agent for a short period until he signed a new contract for another year with the club.[27][28] Gera left West Brom in 2014 after his contract expired.[29]
Ferencváros
On 2 April 2016, Gera became Hungarian League champion with Ferencváros after losing to Debreceni VSC 2–1 at the Nagyerdei Stadion in the 2015–16 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.[30]
He scored the only and winning goal in the
International career
Gera earned his first international cap for the Hungary national team on 13 February 2002 in a 2–1 defeat to Switzerland. Up to 2009, he had played 63 games for Hungary, scoring 18 goals. Before the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match on 14 October 2009 against Denmark, Gera was excluded from the match squad by coach Erwin Koeman after he arrived late at a team meeting. Following the incident, Gera announced his retirement from the national team.[34] On 23 July 2010, the newly appointed board of the Hungarian Football Federation terminated the contract of Koeman and appointed Sándor Egervári as the new national team coach. After a personal discussion with Egervári, Gera returned to the national team on 11 August 2010 against England.
On 29 March 2011, Gera scored twice against the
On 31 May 2016, Gera was selected as vice-captain for the Hungarian squad for Euro 2016 in France.[38] On 14 June, Gera played in the first group match in a 2–0 victory over Austria at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Hungary's first match of the tournament.[39] Four days later, on 18 June, he played in a 1–1 draw against Iceland at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.[40] On 22 June, he played in the last group match in a 3–3 draw against Portugal at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon, and scored the first goal with a terrific half-volley from 25 yards out with his weaker foot. In so doing, he became the second-oldest goalscorer and the oldest goalscorer from open play at a European Championship, aged 37 years and 62 days; Austria's Ivica Vastić is the oldest scorer, at 38 years and 257 days, when he converted a penalty at Euro 2008.[41][42] Gera's goal was later voted the "Goal of the Tournament" in a UEFA online fan poll.[43][44]
Personal life
Gera married on 19 June 2004; his wife gave birth to a boy named Szabolcs on 15 March 2008. Following the birth, he was given leave by his national team manager Péter Várhidi to miss Hungary's friendly against Slovenia to spend time with his family.[45][46] In 2005, Gera featured in a television advertisement for Pepsi representing the 2006 World Cup, alongside Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Nicklas Bendtner, Neil Ruddock and Raúl.[47]
Gera is a member of the Faith Church and was featured in billboard advertisements promoting the organization. He has often defended the Church from its critics and promoted it several times in the media.[48] He credits the Church with saving his life, helping him change his destructive lifestyle which included crime and drug abuse.[49]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Pécsi MFC | 1997–98[50] | Bajnokság II | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 25 | 2 | |||
1998–99[50] | Bajnokság II | 31 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 31 | 8 | ||||
1999–2000[50] | Bajnokság I | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 15 | 4 | ||||
Total | 71 | 14 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 71 | 14 | |||||
Ferencváros | 2000–01[51] | Bajnokság I | 32 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 35 | 7 | |||
2001–02[51] | Bajnokság I | 27 | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | — | 29 | 8 | |||
2002–03[51] | Bajnokság I | 26 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 1 | — | 35 | 7 | |||
2003–04[51] | Bajnokság I | 30 | 11 | 4 | 5 | — | 3[d] | 1 | — | 37 | 17 | |||
2004–05 | Bajnokság I | — | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
Total | 115 | 32 | 10 | 5 | — | 11 | 2 | — | 137 | 39 | ||||
West Bromwich Albion | 2004–05[52] | Premier League | 38 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 6 | ||
2005–06[53] | Premier League | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 3 | |||
2006–07[54] | Championship
|
40 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[e] | 0 | 48 | 6 | ||
2007–08[55] | Championship | 43 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 49 | 10 | |||
Total | 136 | 21 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 155 | 25 | ||
Fulham | 2008–09[56] | Premier League | 32 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 38 | 3 | ||
2009–10[57] | Premier League | 27 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18[f] | 6 | — | 50 | 10 | ||
2010–11[58] | Premier League | 27 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 32 | 4 | |||
Total | 86 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 6 | — | 120 | 17 | |||
West Bromwich Albion | 2011–12[59] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
2012–13[60] | Premier League | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 4 | |||
2013–14[61] | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | |||
Total | 33 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 4 | ||||
Ferencváros | 2014–15[62] | Bajnokság I | 26 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 3 | ||
2015–16[62] | Bajnokság I | 30 | 4 | 5 | 3 | — | 4[f] | 2 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 9 | ||
2016–17[62] | Bajnokság I | 29 | 8 | 6 | 1 | — | 2[c] | 1 | — | 37 | 10 | |||
2017–18[62] | Bajnokság I | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4[f] | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |||
Total | 89 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 22 | ||
Career total | 528 | 91 | 49 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 39 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 631 | 121 |
- ^ Includes Magyar Kupa, FA Cup
- Football League Cup, Ligakupa
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
- ^ UEFA Cup
- ^ Appearances in Football League Championship play-offs
- ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Hungary | 2002 | 8 | 3 |
2003 | 6 | 2 | |
2004 | 13 | 2 | |
2005 | 6 | 2 | |
2006 | 7 | 3 | |
2007 | 10 | 3 | |
2008 | 7 | 2 | |
2009 | 6 | 1 | |
2010 | 5 | 1 | |
2011 | 5 | 2 | |
2012 | 4 | 2 | |
2013 | 0 | 0 | |
2014 | 3 | 1 | |
2015 | 6 | 0 | |
2016 | 10 | 2 | |
2017 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 97 | 26 |
- Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gera goal.
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Cap | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 October 2002 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | San Marino | 7 | 1–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying |
2 | 2–0 | ||||||
3 | 3–0 | ||||||
4 | 30 April 2003 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion , Budapest, Hungary |
Luxembourg | 9 | 1–0 | 5–1 | Friendly
|
5 | 7 June 2003 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Latvia | 10 | 3–1 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying |
6 | 8 September 2004 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Iceland | 25 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
7 | 17 November 2004 | Ta' Qali Stadium, Ta' Qali , Malta |
Malta | 27 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
8 | 4 June 2005 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | Iceland | 30 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
9 | 2–1 | ||||||
10 | 16 August 2006 | UPC-Arena, Graz , Austria |
Austria | 36 | 1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
11 | 2 September 2006 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Norway | 37 | 1–4 | 1–4 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
12 | 6 September 2006 | Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 38 | 2–0 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
13 | 28 March 2007 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Moldova | 42 | 2–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
14 | 22 August 2007 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Italy | 45 | 2–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
15 | 8 September 2007 | Stadion Sóstói, Székesfehérvár , Hungary |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 46 | 1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
16 | 6 February 2008 | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol , Cyprus |
Slovakia | 51 | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
17 | 19 November 2008 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland | 57 | 2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
18 | 1 April 2009 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Malta | 60 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
19 | 8 October 2010 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | San Marino | 67 | 8–0 | 8–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
20 | 29 March 2011 | Amsterdam Arena , Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Netherlands | 71 | 2–1 | 3–5 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
21 | 3–3 | ||||||
22 | 7 September 2012 | Estadi Comunal, Andorra la Vella, Andorra | Andorra | 74 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
23 | 16 October 2012 | Puskás Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | Turkey | 77 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
24 | 14 November 2014 | Groupama Arena , Budapest, Hungary |
Finland | 80 | 1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
25 | 22 June 2016 | Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon, France | Portugal | 92 | 1–0 | 3–3 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
26 | 13 November 2016 | Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary | Andorra | 96 | 1–0 | 4–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Managerial
- As of 16 April 2022[63]
Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
Hungary U21 | 7 June 2019 | Present | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 22.22 | |
Total | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 22.22 |
Honours
Ferencváros
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 2000–01, 2003–04, 2015–16
- Magyar Kupa: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
- Ligakupa: 2014–15
- Szuperkupa: 2004, 2015, 2016
West Bromwich Albion
Fulham
- 2009–10
Individual
- Tibor Simon Award: 2003
- Hungarian Footballer of the Year: 2004 & 2005 [64]
- Fulham Player of the Year: 2009–10
- UEFA Euro 2016 Fan's Goal of the Tournament[65]
References
- ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Válogatott: Gera Zoltán lesz az U21-es szövetségi edző – hivatalos". Nemzeti Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Változás a Vasas FC kispadján". vasasfc.hu. 26 February 2024.
- ^ Attila, Ághassi (28 June 2018). "Gera Zoltán bejelentette: befejezte a futballt".
- ^ a b "Zoltan Gera – News, Stats and Info About The Soccer Player". Sports Pundit. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
- ^ "Albion bag Gera". BBC Sport. 30 July 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
- ^ "West Brom v Tottenham". Premier League. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "WBA vs Charlton". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week. (17/12/2007)" (PDF). The Football League. 17 December 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "Gera decides to join Fulham". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
- ^ "Gera joins Fulham from West Brom". BBC Sport. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
- ^ "Gera makes Fulham switch". FIFA. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008.
- ^ "West Ham 2–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 4 October 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
- ^ "Smash and grab from Chelsea in W.London clash". BBC Sport. 28 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
- ^ "Gera hails most important goal". FIFA. 29 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010.
- ^ "Fairytale Fulham reach final". FIFA. 29 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010.
- ^ "Zolly scoops award". Fulham F.C. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ^ "Fulham 2–2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 22 May 2011.
- ^ "Fulham gain Europa League spot through Fair Play league". BBC Sport. 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Retained player lists reveal big name players available for free". The Independent. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
- ^ "West Brom open talks with Zoltan Gera". The Independent. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Zoltan Gera rejoins West Brom after Fulham exit". BBC Sport.
- ^ Christopher Lepkowski (6 November 2011). "Arsenal 3 West Brom 0: Sunday Mercury Big Match Report and Pictures". Sunday Mercury. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion's Zoltan Gera out for rest of season". BBC Sport. 30 November 2011.
- ^ "West Brom 3–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012.
- ^ "West Brom's Zoltan Gera out for season with knee injury". BBC Sport. 8 January 2013.
- ^ "Zoltan Gera expecting to sign new deal at West Brom". Sky Sports. 3 July 2013.
- ^ Zoltan Gera signs new one-year contract with West Brom. Sky Sports. 14 August 2013.
- ^ "Baggies release five players". West Bromwich Albion F.C. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
- ^ "Ferencváros crowned Hungarian champions". UEFA. 2 April 2016.
- ^ "Újpest FC 0–1 Ferencvárosi TC". magyarfutball.hu. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Újpest FC 0–1 Ferencvárosi TC". csakfoci.hu. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Újpest FC 0–1 Ferencvárosi TC". Nemzeti Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Gera retires from Hungary Archived 7 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Five-goal Hungary brush aside Andorra". FIFA. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "Hungary battle back to beat Turkey". UEFA. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "Turkish hopes dented after Hungary defeat". FIFA. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "Gera, Dzsudzsak and Kiraly lead Hungary at Euro 2016". Sportsnet. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ "UEFA Euro 2016: Austria 0–2 Hungary". UEFA.
- ^ "UEFA Euro 2016: Iceland 1–1 Hungary". UEFA.
- ^ "UEFA Euro 2016: Hungary 3–3 Portugal". UEFA.
- ^ "EURO 2016 group stage number crunching". UEFA. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ "Gera wins fans' goal of the tournament". UEFA. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "Zoltan Gera goal named Euro 2016's best ahead of Ronaldo, Shaqiri efforts". ESPN FC. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "PHOTO GALLERY: Albion 1 Leicester 4". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 15 March 2008. Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
- ^ "Gera granted baby break by Hungary". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
- ^ "Gera joined the Blue Team!". Careers Management Group. 2005.
- ^ "Gera Zoli, a gyülekezet arca". Népszabadság. 2008.
- ^ "Zoltan Gera: I could be dead now if I had not found religion". 11 May 2010.
- ^ a b c "Gera, Zoltán". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Ferencvaros". Zoltán Gera. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
"Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
"West Brom 3–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2012. - ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Zoltan Gera in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Ferencvaros". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ Zoltán Gera coach profile at Soccerway
- ^ "Player of the year – Hungary".
- ^ "Gera wins fans' Goal of the Tournament". UEFA. 13 July 2016.
External links
- Zoltán Gera at Soccerbase
- Zoltán Gera official website