From promotion to pole position: Thun’s stunning rise | OneFootball

FC Thun are one of the standout stories in European football this season.

Fresh from promotion, the club currently sit top of the Swiss Super League, defying almost every pre-season prediction and establishing themselves as a genuine force in Swiss football.

Promoted just last year, Thun were expected to spend the season finding their feet back in the top flight. Instead, they’ve gone straight to the summit and opened up a nine-point lead over second-placed Lugano, playing with confidence, consistency and growing belief.

Founded in 1898, FC Thun’s history has rarely been straightforward. The club have experienced their share of ups and downs, winning the Swiss second division three times, most recently last season to secure their return to the Super League after relegation in 2019/20.

Their name still carries weight beyond Switzerland too. Thun’s appearance in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League, where they shared a group with Arsenal, Ajax and Sparta Prague, remains a defining chapter. Four points from that group may not sound spectacular, but it marked a high point in the club’s European journey and is still remembered fondly.

Under head coach Mauro Lustrinelli, Thun have shown they are more than a feel-good story. They’ve been picking up points regularly, home and away, and recent weeks have only strengthened their position. Victories have piled up, performances have improved, and belief is spreading fast.

What makes this run more impressive is the bigger picture. This is a club that dropped out of the top division just a few seasons ago and rebuilt patiently. The success now feels earned rather than accidental - the product of planning, cohesion and trust in a clear sporting idea.

A squad built on balance

Thun’s squad blends experience with youth in a way that feels deliberate. With around 27 players and an average age of 25.4, it’s a group that combines maturity with energy.

Captain Marco Bürki, now 32, and Leonardo Bertone have been central to the team’s stability and leadership. Bertone, in particular, has set the tempo from midfield and currently leads the squad for assists.

Alongside them, younger players such as Kastriot Imeri, Franz-Ethan Meichtry and Elmin Rastoder are beginning to make their mark, supported by a structure that allows them to grow without pressure.

The squad is largely Swiss, with only five players coming from abroad - representing Martinique, Congo, Germany, Spain and Estonia. That shared background may well be helping on the pitch, with communication and understanding clearly visible in their play.

Up front, Christopher Ibayi has been the main source of goals, scoring nine so far this season, with Rastoder close behind on eight.

Momentum, but no complacency

Thun’s position at the top has been underlined by a five-game winning run, during which they scored 17 goals. Wins against Young Boys and Basel in consecutive weeks sent a clear message: this is no fluke.

Still, there’s caution around the club. The Swiss Super League’s format leaves little room for complacency. After 33 matches, the league splits into championship and relegation groups, with points carried over into a final mini-league. With 11 games still to play before that split, plenty can change.

For now, though, Thun look well placed to secure a spot in the championship group - and perhaps more.

What they’ve already achieved is significant. From relegation to promotion, and now to the top of the table, FC Thun’s journey is a story of resilience and smart rebuilding. With the right mix of experience, youth and leadership, there’s every chance they’re not finished surprising people just yet.