1. Early life and youth career
Martin Stranzl was born on 16 June 1980 in Güssing, Austria. His early football development began with his local youth club, SV Güssing. Stranzl did not play for any professional clubs in Austria. His talents were recognized during his time playing for the Burgenland State selection team, which led to a significant opportunity at the age of 17. In 1997, he secured a transfer to the German club TSV 1860 Munich. At 1860 Munich, he completed his youth training and progressed through the club's satellite teams before signing his first professional contract.
2. Club career
Martin Stranzl's professional club career spanned over two decades, seeing him play for several prominent clubs in both the German Bundesliga and the Russian Premier League. He was known for his consistency as a defender and often played a crucial role in his teams' successes.
2.1. TSV 1860 Munich and VfB Stuttgart
Stranzl made his professional debut in the German Bundesliga at the age of 19 while with TSV 1860 Munich. He quickly established himself as a key player for the club, serving as a regular starter for six seasons. During his tenure at 1860 Munich, he made 96 appearances and scored 4 goals.
In 2004, following TSV 1860 Munich's relegation from the Bundesliga, Stranzl transferred to fellow first-division team VfB Stuttgart. He was considered a cornerstone of the team during his time there. In his first year with Stuttgart, Stranzl performed as expected, but in his second year, his playing time began to decrease. He made 44 appearances and scored 1 goal for VfB Stuttgart.
2.2. Spartak Moscow
Seeking more regular playing time, Martin Stranzl made a move to Russia in March 2006, signing with Russian Premier League powerhouse Spartak Moscow during the winter break of the 2005-06 season. He quickly became an undisputed regular for the club. With Spartak Moscow, Stranzl experienced significant success, helping the team finish as runner-up in the Russian Premier League on three occasions. He also featured prominently in European competitions, participating in the UEFA Champions League main tournament and making 9 appearances in the competition. Overall, Stranzl played 95 matches and scored 3 goals for Spartak Moscow.
2.3. Borussia Mönchengladbach
In the winter break of the 2010-11 season, on 30 December 2010, Stranzl returned to German football, agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year deal with Borussia Mönchengladbach. At the time of his signing, Borussia Mönchengladbach was in last place in the Bundesliga. Stranzl's arrival proved crucial, as he played a vital role in helping the side avoid relegation from the league. He continued to be an important contributor for Mönchengladbach until his retirement, making 116 appearances and scoring 8 goals for the club between 2011 and 2016.
3. International career
Martin Stranzl had a notable career with the Austria national football team. He made his international debut for Austria in a friendly match against Sweden in March 2000. Known as a center-back with a knack for scoring goals, Stranzl became an integral part of the Austrian squad.
He was included in the Austrian squad for UEFA Euro 2008, a tournament co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Stranzl played as a regular, appearing in all of Austria's matches during the tournament. He continued to represent his country until November 2009, when he announced his retirement from national duty. Throughout his international career, Martin Stranzl earned 56 caps for the Austria national team and scored 3 goals.
4. Retirement
On 8 March 2016, Martin Stranzl officially announced his decision to retire from professional football. His retirement came into effect in the summer of 2016, marking the end of a career that spanned nearly two decades.
5. Post-playing career
Following his retirement as a professional football player, Martin Stranzl transitioned into a career in football coaching.
6. Career statistics
| Club | Years | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSV 1860 Munich | 1997-2004 | 96 | 4 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 2004-2006 | 44 | 1 |
| FC Spartak Moscow | 2006-2010 | 95 | 3 |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2011-2016 | 116 | 8 |
| Total club career | 351 | 16 | |
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Austria | 2000 | 6 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total international career | 56 | 3 | |