Ex-BVB striker Alex Frei set to become national team coach soon? | OneFootball

His record speaks for itself. Alexander “Alex” Frei (now 46) took to the field for Borussia Dortmund in 83 matches. The striker from Basel scored 37 goals and provided 20 assists. For many years now, the Swiss has been standing on the sidelines as a coach. Now, a very special job awaits him.

Frei last worked as a coach on March 25, 2024. After 28 matches, he stepped down from his position at FC Aarau in the Challenge League. Previously, Frei coached lower-league side AS Timau Basel as well as FC Basel, FC Wil 1900, and FC Winterthur. Now, according to consistent media reports, he is on the verge of a comeback.

The record goal scorer of the Swiss national team (“Nati”) (84 international caps, 42 goals) is considered one of two candidates for the position of U21 national team coach. Also in the running is Alessandro Mangiarratti (47), most recently in charge at Yverdon Sport. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) intends to decide who will get the job later this January. The previous coach, Sascha Stauch (51), was dismissed in November 2025.

According to the news portal nau.ch, “everything points to the former BVB striker,” who also spent a long time working in the youth sector at FC Basel. However, nothing is set in stone yet, the report adds as a caveat.

Debut in March?

On March 27, the Swiss U21 national team will play its first match of the year. In the European Championship qualifiers, the Alpine nation will host the Faroe Islands. After an embarrassing 1-2 defeat in November 2025, which cost Stauch his job, the oldest SFV youth team is already under pressure. Finishing second in the group is a must in order to at least keep alive the chance of qualifying for Euro 2027 in Serbia and Albania. Currently, the team sits only in third place behind France and the Faroe Islands.

It is very possible that former BVB striker Frei will already be in charge for the clash with the Faroese in just over two months.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.