In view of the ongoing sporting results and developments in recent weeks, the club has decided that a change is necessary, the eleventh-placed team in the Super League announced early on Tuesday evening. Until a suitable successor is found, the previous assistant coach Giuseppe Morello will take over coaching on an interim basis together with the existing coaching staff.
Schällibaum took over the coaching position at the record champions from Bruno Berner in April and led the team over the barrier against Thun to stay in the league last season. In the wake of recent performances and faltering development despite a number of well-known transfers, the release of the former national defender, who celebrated three championship titles with the Grasshoppers as a player in the 1980s, no longer came as a surprise.
2 wins in 13 league games
The Hoppers’ last win, 1-0 at Young Boys, was at the end of September. Since then, there have been defeats against Winterthur, FC Zurich and Lausanne-Sport, a draw against Lugano and a 2-0 defeat against Lucerne last weekend. The club, which passed from Chinese to American hands at the beginning of the year, has only won two and lost eight of its 13 league games this season. Only the bottom team, Winterthur, is in a worse position.
According to reports, the separation went well. Schällibaum is quoted in the Grasshoppers statement as saying: “The separation hurts. Nevertheless, I would like to thank those responsible for giving me the opportunity to lead the club that is close to my heart. I am proud to have been a coach at GC and my heart will remain with the club forever.”
GC sports director Stephan Schwarz says: “Working with Marco Schällibaum was always professional and pleasant both on and off the pitch. He took over the team in a critical phase and led it to stay in the league. We are forever grateful to him for his commitment.”
Second coaching dismissal of the season
Schällibaum is the second coaching dismissal of the season in the Super League after Patrick Framework at Young Boys. His interim successor Giuseppe Morello has been working as an assistant coach at the Grasshoppers since July. The 39-year-old Basel native’s previous positions included the Young Boys (assistant coach), FC Basel (U18 and U15 coach) and the Swiss Football Association (U17 assistant coach).
(sda/hap)
