Philippe Albert

Philippe Julien Albert (born 10 August 1967) is a Belgian former professional footballer and television pundit.

Philippe Albert
Albert in 2014
Personal information
Full name Philippe Julien Albert
Date of birth (1967-08-10) 10 August 1967
Place of birth Bouillon, Belgium
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1988 Charleroi 65 (7)
1988–1991 KV Mechelen 87 (5)
1991–1994 Anderlecht 50 (9)
1994–1999 Newcastle United 96 (8)
1998–1999 → Fulham (loan) 13 (2)
1999–2000 Charleroi 14 (1)
Total 325 (32)
International career
1987–1989 Belgium U21 4 (0)
1987–1997 Belgium 41 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

As a player he was a defender. He played for Charleroi, KV Mechelen and Anderlecht in his native Belgium, and for English clubs Newcastle United and Fulham. It was at Newcastle that he became known as an attack-minded centre-back for his forward runs from defence in the team dubbed as "the Entertainers".[1]

Albert made 41 appearances for the Belgium national team from 1987 to 1997, and represented his country at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

Club career

Albert started his career with Charleroi before moving to KV Mechelen where his performances won him Belgian Golden Shoe and a move to Anderlecht. While playing at Anderlecht, he won the Belgian League twice and helped his national side qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

Albert's exploits at the World Cup earned him a £2.6 million transfer to Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United; he was issued the number 27 shirt, and completed the transfer on his 27th birthday.[2] He later claimed he turned down moves to Italian clubs Juventus and Fiorentina the year before as he did not like the hot climate or having to play on Sundays, and moved to Newcastle as he was a fan of Keegan and the team he played for, Liverpool, in his youth.[2] He was an immediate success in the side as he helped them win their first six league games of the 1994–95 season, but missed the later stages of the season through injury and Newcastle finished sixth – not even enough for a UEFA Cup place.[3] He became a cult hero at Newcastle United due to his less-than-defensive tendencies in "the Entertainers'" central defence, would often make runs forward and be found roaming on the edge of the opposition box. His most famous moment arguably came when he scored an audacious chip from 20 yards over Peter Schmeichel in a 5–0 win over Manchester United on 20 October 1996.[4][5]

Fans at Newcastle created a terrace chant for the player, singing "Phillipe, Phillipe Albert, everyone knows his name" to the words of the theme song of 1970s children's TV series The Adventures of Rupert Bear.[1][2]

Injuries towards the end of the decade limited his first-team chances and he spent 13 games on loan to third-tier club Fulham (managed at the time by his former Newcastle boss Keegan), scoring twice during the 1998–99 season as they were promoted from Division Two as champions.

On leaving Newcastle in 1999, Albert returned to Belgium, rejoining Charleroi for £600,000. He spent one season with the club before retiring from football.

International career

Albert made 41 appearances for the Belgium national team,[6] making his debut in 1987, but came to worldwide prominence at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. There he played in four of Belgium's matches, scoring against the Netherlands in his first game and against Germany in the second round match, which Belgium lost 3–2.

Post-playing career

Albert is now working as a pundit for Belgian TV, and also runs a successful fruit and vegetable company.[2][7]

Honours

Club

KV Mechelen[8]

Anderlecht[12]

Newcastle[13]

Fulham[14]

Individual

References
  1. Moore, Glenn (29 October 1994). "Football: Albert able to call tune on the Tyne: A Belgian centre-back's attacking verve is delighting the Newcastle faithful. Glenn Moore reports". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022.
  2. Marshall, Paul (1 February 2009). "Au revoir, pet". ESPN Soccernet.
  3. Ridley, Ian (13 August 1995). "Club-by-club guide: The prospects, the players to watch, the arrivals and departures". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022.
  4. Gibbs, Thom (26 September 2012). "Manchester United v Newcastle United: Five memorable moments including Rooney, Cantona and Phillipe Albert". The Daily Telegraph.
  5. Edwards, Luke (6 December 2013). "Flashback: The day Newcastle United shocked Manchester United with 5-0 victory at St James' Park". The Daily Telegraph.
  6. Mamrud, Roberto (16 July 2009). "Belgium – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  7. "Fan 'completes' 1996 Premier League sticker album". BBC News Online. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  8. "KV Mechelen | Geschiedenis". Eurosport. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  9. "Amsterdam Tournament".
  10. "Uitslagen van de Joan Gamper Trophy".
  11. "Le Trophée Pappaert".
  12. "RSC Anderlecht | Palmares".
  13. "Newcastle | Honours and records".
  14. "Fulham | Honours".
  15. "Palmares Profvoetballer van het Jaar".
  16. "Winnaars Gouden Schoen".
  17. "1994 Ballon d'Or".
  18. "Newcastle United have revealed the club's greatest ever team as voted for by supporters".
  19. "La Dernière Heure | Het Beste Elftal Aller Tijden".
  20. "RBFA - Discover our 125 Years Icons Team".
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