Marinko Jurendic appointed Chief Sports Officer of Swiss Football Association

Marinko Jurendic, the former sport director of FC Augsburg, has been appointed as the new Chief Sports Officer (CSO) of the Swiss Football Association (SFV). The newly created role gives him overall responsibility for the association’s sport sector, covering the men’s national teams, women’s football and overall football development, and he will report directly to SFV president Peter Knäbel. Jurendic will assume the post in mid‑August 2026 and be formally introduced at a press conference in early September.

Jurendic previously served as sport director at FC Zürich (2020‑2023), leading the club to the 2022 Swiss championship, and at FC Augsburg (2023‑2025). He also worked for the SFV between 2009 and 2017 in youth development and as deputy technical director. The appointment follows Switzerland’s strong showing at the 2026 World Cup, reaching the quarter‑finals – the best result since 1954 – and is intended to unify the association’s sporting areas and strengthen talent development.

Jurendic said the CSO position “offers a great chance to bring the sport areas together, to listen, to strengthen what works and to introduce clear changes where needed.”