The coach of the third-place team in the Challenge League is ending his engagement after less than a year. Frei recently attracted attention with unbridled actions.
Despite his contract running until 2025, Alex Frei is leaving Brügglifeld with immediate effect.
Peter Schneider / Keystone
those. Alex Frei is no longer the coach of FC Aarau with immediate effect. As the Challenge League club announced on Monday, Frei had terminated the contract. The decision was made after intensive internal discussions over the last few weeks. Frei agreed with club CEO Sandro Burki and sports director Elsad Zverotic not to fulfill the contract, which runs until 2025.
“In the last few weeks and months, I realized that I no longer have the strength and energy to fully pursue my passion as a coach,” the Swiss national team’s record goalscorer is quoted as saying in the club’s press release.
Frei leaves FC Aarau in 3rd place in the Challenge League, but with little prospect of one of the promotion places occupied by Sitten and FC Thun. Aarau is too far behind the first two places.
Most recently, Frei – already known for his impulsiveness as a player – attracted attention with his unbridled actions. For example, he was banned for two games after showing FC Baden fans the middle finger in the Aargauer derby. Recently, after a game, he entered the referee’s booth without knocking to complain about the game management.
According to Aarau sports director Zverotic, a successor for Frei is being sought for the new season. A team led by current assistant coach Norbert Fischer is taking over training on an interim basis. Because he does not have the necessary diploma to manage a Challenge League team, Ranko Jakovljevic, current talent manager and holder of the UEFA Pro license, will be the new head coach on an interim basis.