FC Basel dismisses head coach Stephan Lichtsteiner

FC Basel has announced the immediate dismissal of head coach Stephan Lichtsteiner. The decision follows a period of unsatisfactory sporting development and recent poor results, including home defeats against Sion and Lugano. After seven rounds of the championship, the team sits in fifth place with ten points.

Lichtsteiner, a former Swiss national team captain, had signed a contract through summer 2029 when he took over in January. Reports suggest the dismissal may have been accelerated after Lichtsteiner informed his team following a morning training session that he intended to remain in his position only until the upcoming national team break in late September.

Assistant coach Luigi Nocentini will take over the first team on an interim basis. Club owner David Degen stated that the club's trust was tied to the expectation of clear sporting progress and an upward trend, which the club felt had not materialized.