BASEL, 2026-01-26 18:05:00 – FC Basel has parted ways with head coach Timo Magnin after a disappointing start to the season, the club announced today.
The Swiss Super League club dismissed Magnin despite a recent 4-3 victory over FC Zurich, citing inconsistent performances and a failure to achieve ambitious goals.
- Timo Magnin was relieved of his duties as FC Basel’s head coach.
- The decision comes despite a recent win against rival FC Zurich.
- FC Basel is currently fourth in the Swiss Super League, ten points behind league leaders FC Thun.
Magnin, who took over the position last summer, averaged 1.58 points per game in 33 matches with the club, according to the report. The dismissal follows weeks of speculation regarding his future, even after a dramatic late goal from Xherdan Shaqiri secured a 4-3 win against FC Zurich, as reported by Sky sport.
Weeks of Rumors Confirmed
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The club stated that “after mixed performances towards the end of last year, the hoped-for turnaround did not materialize despite intensive work in the coaching team and good winter readiness.” Sports director Daniel Stucki added that the team’s performance had stagnated before the winter break and that recent results, including a draw against FC Sion and a loss to RB salzburg, did not meet expectations.
“We still achieve some of our goals. For this reason, we have decided to take this step, which is anything but easy for us,” Stucki said.
Magnin’s Reaction
Magnin expressed gratitude for his time with the club, stating, “I would like to thank FC Basel for a great six months despite everything. I was able to feel what this club means to the city and the people and of course it is tough for me to say goodbye. I wish the team, the staff and the entire club nothing but the best for the rest of the season and thank everyone who supported me during my time at FCB.”
Magnin replaced Fabio Celestini last summer, after Celestini moved to CSKA Moscow following a successful season where he won the Swiss double.
The club has not yet announced a replacement for Magnin.
Why It Matters
This coaching change underscores the high expectations at FC Basel, one of Switzerland’s most prominent clubs. The quick dismissal of Magnin, even after a morale-boosting victory, signals the club’s determination to compete for the league title. FC Basel’s current fourth-place standing, ten points behind FC Thun, highlights the urgency of the situation and the pressure to find a coach who can quickly turn the team’s fortunes around. The move also demonstrates a growing trend in European football of clubs acting swiftly to address underperformance, even mid-season.
