FC Basel: all players are looking for new clubs; there is a risk of a mass exodus

All players are looking for new clubs: FCB is threatened with a mass exodus

The situation at FC Basel is getting worse. All the players are looking for new clubs, there are massive layoffs next to the grass. An exodus is imminent.

Céline Feller, Jakob Weber / ch media

It is the next domino to fall. After the executives who have been expelled, the young and professional coaches who have fought each other and the fans who cover everything from Basel to Rheinfelden with banners of “Burgener and Heri out”, the FC Basel team is also furious. So much so that there could be a great exodus. Or this summer or later in winter if the mood does not improve significantly with coach Ciriaco Sforza.

As this newspaper knows from various sources close to the team, now all the first team players are looking around. Not just legionaries like Omar Alderete or Arthur Cabral, whose time in Basel is only intended to serve as a springboard. But also players who identify with the club, who grew up in Basel or who wanted to spend the autumn of their careers at the “Joggeli”.

The case of Ricky van Wolfswinkel became public last week, who after the lack of respect was no longer interested in staying. And Taulant Xhaka is also angry. His contract is for one more year, he originally wanted to finish his career at FCB. But since he’s being put off, he flirts, of course not in public, with a change.

Because all values ​​are lost

In any case, the team does not speak publicly about the problems. That was decided internally. But the mood is still out. For example, that Jonas Omlin not only moved to Montpellier because the package is attractive and the league is bigger, but also because he just wanted to leave. More yesterday than tomorrow. Because it was getting too much. Too much discomfort, lack of professionalism, evaluations. The way Omlin feels, this is how it is to listen, to all the Basel players. Those who wore the shield on their chest in the cup final on Sunday. But also those who, like Kevin Bua, prefer to go on vacation rather than have to live with the unpredictability of the FC Basel executive suite.

No matter who you talk to, the tenor is clear: the team no longer feels any support. It lacks the values ​​that once made up the club: integrity, solidarity, honesty, humanity. Especially the latter. If the fans feel like customers since Bernard Burgener took over the club, the players would have the feeling that they had to transform into tireless and flawless machines. Only to be publicly snubbed. Either with the wage exemption or when it comes to contract extensions. Or just having to stand there after a game and explain again what is wrong, although it is not a problem for your level.

Without a tangible CEO and with a president who lives in an ideal world, as he impressively demonstrated last week, gamers have to pull chestnuts out of the fire. And whoever complains too much must fear becoming a pawn sacrifice. This fear, it is said, is particularly prevalent when it comes to players without long-term contracts.

In no way did the players try to solve the problems. Solo: If a change is promised to the front, the player is counted in the back. A game that doesn’t go well for long. And one that has meant that now everyone only considers themselves, their future and their career. And everyone wants to go. In Basel there is no longer fertile soil, everything is inactive, a fountain paints the picture of the association. In sports, the players still have hope in Ciriaco Sforza, who will carry out his first training session this Tuesday. He should listen and mediate the players. Something that hasn’t happened in a long time. It is a small ray of hope.

Good people leave the team too

Aside from the team, several people no longer felt this hope. People who have worked happily and well for FCB in the background for a long time are leaving the club. In addition to Alex Frei’s most prominent document, the FCB office has already received eleven more layoffs this year. They refer to the communications department, where the deputy press spokesperson Andrea Ruberti will no longer be there. The human resources department has given notice. Some employees are also looking for new jobs in the junior sector.

Bernhard Burgener likes to emphasize that as a captain he does everything for his employees. But it is precisely this captain and his followers, CEO Roland Heri in office and Percy van Lierop in the offspring, who are often brought up when asked about the reasons for the resignations. And because other current FCB employees are flirting with a departure, the number of departures should continue to increase by the end of the year. Next to the grass, but especially on it.