Manuel Friedrich began his career in Bad Kreuznach side SG Guldental. In 1995 he transferred to Mainz 05 and managed to switch from the youth team to the reserve team. The 2001/2002 season was marked by a real breakthrough in the player’s career, because he was asked to join the first team and performed for the club during eight seasons.
In 2002/2003 Friedrich was bought by Werder Bremen for €2.5 million. The head coach put him on the position of a centre back, but Manuel soon got a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury which left him out of action. However, the footballer managed to recuperate from the trauma really quickly and took part in 13 games for Werder Bremen II.
In 2003/2004 he returned to his native Mainz 05 for €1.4 million and became the most expensive player in the club’s history.
Friedrich was one of the pivots of the club and, besides, wore the captain’s armband after 2005/2006, when the team faced an ‘injury epidemic’. He became the best defender of the championship that season.
At the beginning of 2007/2008, Manuel moved to Leverkusen and signed a three-year contract with Bayer 04, which spent about €3 million on his transfer. The veteran did his best to keep his place in the main team, which was challenged by many other players during the season. The following season Friedrich and his squad progressed to the DFB-Pokal final and the back was offered to extend his contract for another two years. In 2013 Friedrich was released after six years with the club.
In November the same year Friedrich was offered to join Borussia Dortmund that had the entire back line sidelined with injuries.
From 2006 to 2008 Manuel was capped nine times for the Germany national football team.
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