Marcel Koller, the new manager of FC Zürich, has spoken about his eventful career spanning from Cairo to FC Basel in an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The 65-year-old took over at Zürich in the summer of 2026 with the task of stabilizing the team after an inconsistent period.
Koller looks back on a long and varied career. His time as manager of the Egyptian national team between 2021 and 2023 was one of the most formative experiences. "The intensity of football there is enormous, the expectations are gigantic," Koller told the NZZ. After his dismissal in Egypt, he returned to Switzerland, where he took on another challenge at FC Basel.
What was his time at FC Basel like?
At FC Basel, Koller took over the team during a difficult period. He himself referred to the position at the time as a "snake pit," hinting at the high expectations and complex internal structures of the club. Despite the challenges, he managed to stabilize the team and provide some continuity before leaving the club after the 2025/26 season. His successor at Basel was another manager, while Koller turned to a new task with league rivals FC Zürich.
What is FC Basel's current situation?
While Koller's former club, FC Basel, occupies a solid mid-table position in the current season, his new team is fighting to keep up. FC Basel sits in 5th place in the Super League with 10 points after seven matchdays. The record shows three wins, one draw, and three losses. With 12 goals scored and 12 conceded, the team has a balanced goal difference. Their recent form over the last two games is unbeaten with one win and one draw. The last match ended in a 3-3 draw against BSC Young Boys on August 29, 2026. You can find the current league table and further statistics on our standings page.
What are the next tasks for Koller and Basel?
For Marcel Koller, the focus is now entirely on working with FC Zürich, whom he must lead from the lower half of the table. FC Basel, meanwhile, is preparing for its next league fixture. This is an away match against FC Luzern on September 13, 2026. Luzern currently sits in 6th place, just one point behind Basel. The complete schedule for the Rotblauen can be found on our fixtures page. Basel's team trails surprising leaders FC Lugano by eight points, highlighting the competitiveness in the upper mid-field of the league.
The task for Koller in Zürich is clearly defined, while FC Basel continues its own development under new leadership. The experienced manager brings lessons from two very different football cultures, which are meant to prepare him for the current challenges in Switzerland. The full squad overview for FC Basel is available on the squad page.
