Ex-BVB striker Alex Frei takes over as national coach | OneFootball

Since March 2024, Alexander "Alex" Frei was without a job. But the time without a permanent position is now over for the former Borussia Dortmund striker. The now 46-year-old ex-professional will be working as a national coach in the future.

From 2006 to 2009, the Swiss once played for BVB. In his 83 appearances for the Black and Yellows, he scored 37 goals and provided 20 assists. In the national team jersey, Frei can even boast a better record. For the "Nati," he played in 84 international matches and scored an impressive 42 goals. This makes the native of Basel the record goal scorer for the Swiss.

After leaving Dortmund, Frei ended his active career in his hometown with the local FC. After an initial position as sporting director of FC Luzern, he first coached the lower-tier AS Timau Basel as well as FC Basel, FC Wil 1900, and FC Winterthur. Frei last worked as a coach on March 25, 2024. After 28 matches with FC Aarau from the Challenge League, he voluntarily stepped down from his position.

Debut in March

As of February 1, 2026, the former Dortmund striker will take on the role of head coach of the Swiss U-21 national team. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) officially announced this on Monday (January 26). He will make his debut in the two European Championship qualification matches in March against the Faroe Islands and Estonia.

"Returning to the SFV means a lot to me," Frei emphasizes in a statement from the association. "I want to bring my experiences from national and international top football, advance the team further, and promote the players individually. We are in the middle of the European Championship qualification. We still have the chance to qualify directly or as second for the European Championship. We want to seize this opportunity."

Frei's task also includes "further strengthening the individual development of the players and sustainably promoting the transition to the A national team," as the SFV explains.

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