Alexander Frei

Alexander Frei or Alex Frei (born 15 July 1979) is a Swiss professional football coach and a former player who played as a forward. He is the current head coach of FC Aarau in the Swiss Challenge League, the second tier of Swiss football.

Alexander Frei
Frei with Borussia Dortmund in 2007
Personal information
Full name Alexander Frei[1]
Date of birth (1979-07-15) 15 July 1979[1]
Place of birth Basel, Switzerland
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 FC Aarau (manager)
Youth career
1987–1988 FC Begnins
1988–1995 FC Aesch
1995–1997 Basel
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1998 Basel 11 (1)
1998–1999 Thun 32 (6)
1999–2000 FC Luzern 53 (17)
2001–2003 Servette 64 (36)
2003–2006 Rennes 100 (47)
2006–2009 Borussia Dortmund 74 (34)
2009–2013 Basel 103 (72)
Total 437 (213)
International career
1995–1996 Switzerland U-18 5 (1)
1996–1997 Switzerland U-19 4 (3)
1999–2000 Switzerland U-21 19 (9)
2001–2011 Switzerland 84 (42)
Managerial career
2013–2014 FC Luzern (sporting director)
2015–2020 Basel (youth)
2018 Basel (interim)
2020–2021 Wil
2021–2022 Winterthur
2022–2023 Basel
2023– Aarau
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He began his career at Basel, going on to various other clubs in Switzerland, France and Germany before returning to his home club, where he won the Swiss Super League title in all four of his seasons, including doubles with the Swiss Cup in 2010 and 2012.

Frei is the all-time leading scorer of the Switzerland national team with 42 goals in 84 games, and also their sixth-most capped player of all time. He represented the country at two UEFA European Championships and as many World Cups.

Club career

Frei started his professional career with his hometown club of FC Basel, where he later was transferred to FC Thun, FC Luzern, and Servette FC, all in his native Switzerland. After a transfer to French club Rennes, he finished as the highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 for the 2004–05 season with 20 goals and was named Swiss Footballer of the Year the same season. He was also named Swiss Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2007.

Frei then signed a four-year contract with Borussia Dortmund on 29 June 2006. Dortmund paid a transfer fee of approximately €5 million for him. In the 2006–07 season, Frei was the highest goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund with 16 goals in 32 matches.

He recovered from a long-term injury in the 2007–08 season to score six times in his last eight appearances for Borussia Dortmund. After speculation regarding his future, he came back to action against Schalke 04 in the fourth fixture of the Bundesliga. He scored two goals, equalising in an incredible game.[3]

On 17 July 2009, he left Borussia Dortmund after 74 league matches[4] and, after six years, returned to Switzerland to sign with FC Basel.[5] He made his debut in a 2–1 win over FC Sion on 26 July 2009. He made an assist and also scored the last minute winner in the match at the Stade Tourbillon.[6] During the 2009–10 season he scored 15 goals in 19 league games and FC Basel won the Double. During the 2010–11 season he scored 27 goals in 35 league games, becoming the Swiss League Top goalscorer.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Frei won his second Double with Basel, the League Championship title[7] and the Swiss Cup.[8]

In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Basel advanced as far as the semi-finals, there being matched against the reigning UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea, but were knocked out being beaten 2–5 on aggregate.[9] Frei's last game in this competition was as Basel qualified for the quarter-finals in the home game against Tottenham Hotspur, whom they beat 4–1 on penalties after a 4–4 aggregate draw to progress. Frei played his last professional match on 14 April 2013 in the home game at St. Jakob-Park as Basel beat Zürich 3–1. He led the team as captain for this game. He also scored his last goal, a free kick from about 25 meters in the 55th minute. He was substituted some ten minutes later to a standing ovation.[10][11] At the end of the Swiss Super League season 2012–13, Frei was awarded his fourth championship medal[12] and was awarded a Swiss Cup silver medal.[13]

Between the years from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2009 to 2013 Frei played a total of 217 games for Basel scoring a total of 148 goals. 114 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, 15 in the Swiss Cup, 38 in the European competitions (Champions League and Europa League) and 50 were friendly games. He scored 74 goals in the domestic league, 13 in the cup, 22 in the European matches and the other 39 were scored during the test games. With the club he won four league championships and two cup titles.[14]

International career
Frei battling for the ball with Brazil's Luisão in a November 2006 friendly

Frei represented Switzerland at Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-21s levels. He played his Swiss U-18s debut on 25 October 1995 in the 5-1 away defeat against the French Under-18s. His Under-21 debut was on 3 September 1999 in the 3-1 away win against Denmark.

Frei played his debut as full international on 24 March 2001,[15] being substituted in, during the 1–1 away draw against the Republic of Yugoslavia during the World Cup qualification Group 1 match.[16] In the following match, four days later, Frei scored his first three goals for the national team in the 5–0 home win against Luxembourg.[17]

Frei played for Switzerland at Euro 2004. In a group match against England, he was caught on camera appearing to spit at Steven Gerrard. Although no action was taken at the time, Frei was later charged and given a provisional 15-day suspension by UEFA.[18]

He scored six times in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, including a second-minute penalty in the second leg of the play-off against Turkey which his team won on away goals.[19] At the finals in Germany, Frei was Man of the match in the 2–0 group stage win over Togo in Dortmund, opening the scoring from Tranquillo Barnetta's 17th-minute cross.[20] He concluded a win by the same score against South Korea in the next game to send Switzerland through as group winners. This goal was controversial as referee Horacio Elizondo overruled a judgement of offside by his assistant.[21]

On 30 May 2008, in Switzerland's final preparation match before co-hosting UEFA Euro 2008, Frei scored twice in a 3–0 friendly win over Liechtenstein. This moved him to 35 goals for the Switzerland national team, surpassing the record of Kubilay Türkyilmaz.[22] However, within the first half of the opening match of the tournament, Frei was injured while captaining the Swiss team and missed the rest of the tournament due to a torn knee ligament in his left knee after a challenge from Czech defender Zdeněk Grygera. He decided to remain with the team to show his support. He later underwent surgery.[23]

In a Euro 2012 qualifier at home against Wales, he was booed by his own fans throughout the match, even though Switzerland won the match 4–1. When he was finally substituted the fans in the home sector booed him repeatedly.[24] On 5 April 2011, he decided to quit from the national squad after being criticised again following a 0–0 draw with Bulgaria on 26 March for the Euro 2012 qualifying match.[25]

Sports director

After Frei ended his career, he became new sports director of FC Luzern. This was announced by both FC Basel[26] and Luzern[27] on 19 March 2013.

Coaching career

He was interim manager of FC Basel.[28]

In September 2020, he became head coach of FC Wil 1900.[29] He stepped down from this position in November 2021 and in December signed on as head coach of FC Winterthur.[30][31] After successfully leading Winterthur to promotion to the Super League, he was signed by his former club FC Basel to be their new head coach.[32]

Frei and Basel parted ways on 7 February 2023, with the team sitting in seventh place in the table.[33] According to FC Basel sporting director Heiko Vogel the 0–1 loss away to Grasshopper Club Zürich, following five league games without a win, on 4 February 2023, three days before, "was one defeat too many". On 1 February 2023, Basel had defeated Grasshoppers 5–3 in Zurich in their round of 16 match of the 2022–23 Swiss Cup.

On 12 June 2023, he was announced as the new head coach of FC Aarau,[34] thus returning to the Swiss Challenge League.

Personal life

Alexander is of no relation to club and country team mate Fabian Frei.[35] However, he is the second-cousin of Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper and former Swiss youth international Stefan Frei.[36] His younger sister Andrea plays football for the Basel ladies team. He is married to Nina and they have a daughter born in 2012.[37]

Career statistics

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[38][39]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Switzerland 200185
200262
200387
200492
2005117
2006118
200731
200885
200993
201092
201120
Total8442
Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Frei goal.
List of international goals scored by Alexander Frei[38][39]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 28 March 2001Hardturm, Zürich, Switzerland Luxembourg1–05–02002 World Cup qualifier
22–0
35–0
42 June 2001Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Faroe Islands1–01–02002 World Cup qualifier
55 September 2001Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Luxembourg1–03–02002 World Cup qualifier
621 August 2002St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Austria2–13–2Friendly
78 September 2002St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Georgia1–04–1Euro 2004 qualifier
8 12 February 2003Športni Park, Nova Gorica, Slovenia Slovenia3–05–1Friendly
95–0
1030 April 2003Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Italy1–01–2Friendly
11 7 June 2003St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Russia1–02–2Euro 2004 qualifier
122–0
1311 June 2003Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Albania2–13–2Euro 2004 qualifier
1411 October 2003St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Republic of Ireland2–02–0Euro 2004 qualifier
1518 February 2004Stade Moulay Abdellah, Rabat, Morocco Morocco1–21–2Friendly
169 October 2004Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan, Israel Israel1–12–22006 World Cup qualifier
1730 March 2005Hardturm, Zürich, Switzerland Cyprus1–01–02006 World Cup qualifier
18 4 June 2005Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Faroe Islands2–13–12006 World Cup qualifier
193–1
2017 August 2005Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway Norway1–02–0Friendly
213 September 2005St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Israel1–01–12006 World Cup qualifier
227 September 2005GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus Cyprus1–03–12006 World Cup qualifier
2316 November 2005Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey Turkey1–02–42006 World Cup play-offs
24 3 June 2006Hardturm, Zürich, Switzerland China1–04–1Friendly
253–0
2619 June 2006FIFA WM Stadion Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany Togo1–02–02006 World Cup
2723 June 2006FIFA WM Stadion Hannover, Hanover, Germany South Korea2–02–02006 World Cup
28 16 August 2006Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Liechtenstein1–03–0Friendly
292–0
302 September 2006St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Venezuela1–01–0Friendly
316 September 2006Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Costa Rica2–02–0Friendly
3225 March 2007Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, United States Colombia1–11–3Friendly
3324 May 2008Cornaredo Stadium, Lugano, Switzerland Slovakia2–02–0Friendly
34 30 May 2008AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland Liechtenstein1–03–0Friendly
352–0
3611 October 2008AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland Latvia1–02–12010 World Cup qualifier
3715 October 2008Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece Greece1–02–12010 World Cup qualifier
3828 March 2009Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău, Moldova Moldova1–02–02010 World Cup qualifier
391 April 2009Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Moldova2–02–02010 World Cup qualifier
409 September 2009Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia Latvia1–02–22010 World Cup qualifier
41 17 November 2010Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Ukraine1–02–2Friendly
422–1

Managerial
As of 12 June 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat. From To Record
G W D L Win %
FC Wil Switzerland 7 September 2020 9 November 2021 52 16 11 25 030.77
Winterthur Switzerland 20 December 2021 30 June 2022 18 10 6 2 055.56
Basel Switzerland 1 July 2022 7 February 2023 34 14 10 10 041.18
Aarau Switzerland 12 June 2023 Present 0 0 0 0 !—
Total 104 40 27 37 038.46

Honours

Servette

Basel

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2019.
  2. "Alex Frei" (in German). FC Basel. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  3. "Borussia Dortmund 3–3 Schalke 04". ESPN Soccernet. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  4. Arnhold, Matthias (5 December 2019). "Alexander Frei - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  5. "Alex Frei verlässt Dortmund" (in German). Derstandard.at. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  6. Weber, Dominik (26 July 2009). "Alex Frei schiesst FCB in letzter Minute zum Sieg in Sion!". FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  7. "Der 15. Meistertitel für den FCB – die Bilanz einer grandiosen Saison" (in German). fcb.ch. 29 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  8. "Matchtelegram FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern" (in German). football.ch. 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  9. Haylett, Trevor (3 May 2013). "Basel take heart after Chelsea defeat". UEFA. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  10. Marti, Caspar (14 April 2013). "Der FCB schlägt den FCZ bei der Verabschiedung von Alex Frei mit 3:1" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  11. Meister, Remo (14 April 2013). "Das isch emol e Abschied" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  12. Schifferle, Michael (10 June 2013). "Season review: Switzerland". UEFA. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  13. "Telegramm Schweizer Cup Final" (in German). Schweizerischer Fussballverband. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  14. Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” (2013). "Alex Frei - FCB Statistic". Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv”. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  15. Mamrud, Roberto (5 December 2019). "Alexander Frei - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  16. "Yugoslavia – Switzerland / Match report". FIFA.com. 24 March 2001. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  17. "Switzerland – Luxembourg / Match report". FIFA.com. 28 March 2001. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  18. "Frei given 15-day ban". BBC Sport. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  19. "Turkey 4-2 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  20. "Togo 0-2 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 19 June 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  21. "Switzerland 2-0 South Korea". BBC Sport. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  22. "Switzerland coast home against Liechtenstein". Swissinfo. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  23. "Switzerland 0–1 Czech Republic". BBC News. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  24. "Former Players: Frei booed by his own fans". Stade Rennais Online. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  25. "Swiss pair Frei and Strellar [sic] announce retirements". BBC News. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  26. FC Basel 1893 (19 March 2013). "Alex Frei wird ab Mitte April 2013 Sportdirektor beim FC Luzern" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  27. "Alex Frei wechselt am 15. April zum FC Luzern" (in German). FC Luzern. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  28. ALEX FREI WIRD NEUER ASSISTENZTRAINER U14 UND U16 Archived 27 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine‚ fcb.ch, 15 May 2015
  29. Alex Frei wird neuer Trainer beim FC Wil. Nau. 7 September 2020.
  30. FC Wil 1900 und Alex Frei trennen sich. FC Wil. 9 November 2021.
  31. Alex Frei neuer Trainer beim FCW. Archived 30 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine FC Winterthur. 20 December 2021.
  32. "Alex Frei ist der neue FCB-Trainer" [Alex Frei is the new FCB coach]. FC Basel (in German). 23 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  33. "DER FCB TRENNT SICH VON CHEFTRAINER ALEX FREI" [Alex Frei and FCB part ways]. FC Basel (in German). 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  34. "Alex Frei wird neuer Cheftrainer des FC Aarau". fcaarau.ch (in German). FC Aarau. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  35. "Fabian Frei & Alexander Frei both scored for Basel tonight but are unrelated – are any players in this season's Champions League that are related?". socqer.com. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  36. "Swiss striker Frei has a nose for goal". CBC News. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  37. "Glückwünsche für Nina und Alex Frei: Töchterchen Lia ist da!" (in German). FC Basel. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  38. Alexander Frei at National-Football-Teams.com
  39. "Alexander Frei - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  40. "Player of the year » Switzerland". World Football. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  41. "Swiss skipper Frei nets football award". Swiss Info. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  42. "2010/11 / Letzte Jahre Home - Swiss Golden Player Award" (in German). goldenplayer.ch. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  43. "Best Forward 2012" (in German). goldenplayer.ch. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
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