Risky, emotional, stubborn: that’s how FCB boss David Degen works

Three years earlier, Degen made his professional debut at FC Aarau. Coach there: ex-Nati captain Alain Geiger. To this day, he doesn’t want to know anything about the disrespect. Quite the opposite. «When I came to Aarau, I was told that there was a special man playing in the U21s. Someone with a very special character. A twin who is very closely linked to his brother.” Geiger said he immediately started training with the U21s. And he brought David Degen into the first team without hesitation. “He had a lot of quality, speed, athleticism and a passion for football And he was a team player, generous, a fantastic guy. I have only good memories of him.”

Two great figures in Swiss football, two opinions about David Degen. That’s no coincidence. Because David Degen is polarizing. That’s what it was like as a player. And now it is no different as FCB chairman. Some find him stubborn, others see him as a visionary. Some say he should talk less. Others appreciate that he doesn’t turn his heart into a den of murderers. Some are grateful that FCB has not fallen into foreign hands. Others tell him that he recently wanted to join the WG.

But everyone agrees on one thing: things haven’t gotten any duller since the Basel bidder took over FCB almost a thousand days ago. This is evident from a look at his most pithy quotes. And what’s behind it.

A statement that underlines how tough David Degen is against coaches. Declared just over four years ago. David Degen put his foot in the door at FCB at the time and took over 10 percent of the share package from then president Bernhard Burgener. Previously, in his role as a player’s agent, he had spent weeks speaking to journalists against then coach Marcel Koller. His coaching assistants are ‘superiors’ and the head coach is incompetent. Koller’s successors were also often kept under control by Degen. Patrick Frame symbolizes how difficult it is for a coach to deal with swords. He was first ostracized in the winter of 2021 and released shortly after the start of the second half of the season. And that despite the fact that he had by far the best points average since Urs Fischer.

A statement that underlines how risky David Degen is. This was said two years ago in the spring, when the 40-year-old was involved in a power struggle with Bernhard Burgener. According to reports, Degen is said to have left more than 16 million francs on the table. An amount that bears no relation to the capabilities of the former football professional. The fact that Degen is still taking over FCB shows that he is not afraid of financial ruins. A character trait that recurs during his two-year term as FCB chairman. The current transfer summer shows that the risk strategy can be rewarded. FCB earns more than 50 million for Amdouni, Diouf and Co. A masterpiece.

A statement that shows how much Degen, who went to FCB at the age of 13, suffers with the club he loves. Pronounced in December two years ago. When it comes to qualifying for the group stage of the Conference League against Hammarby, Degen retreats to a quiet spot. “Because I could barely stand it anymore. Progress was on a razor’s edge. If that hadn’t worked, it would have been very dark.”

A statement that underlines how stubborn FCB is moving under David Degen. Also pronounced in December two years ago. In the same interview, Degen also names one of the most successful FCB coaches ever. «When Urs Fischer became champion with FCB and they mainly played with older players and a less attractive playing style, the number of spectators decreased. Today everything has to be right.” Two years later, FCB has a young team, but they come from last place in the table. And attractive football is currently only a side issue given the precarious situation.

Degen is also aware of this. It is therefore no coincidence that it has become quite quiet in recent days around the president, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery. Degen knows that anything he says now will be taken lightly. He’s running out of arguments. And with Heiko Vogel he lost his protective shield. The man who could be held responsible for the sporting decline was fired.

Fabio Celestini is now the sixth coach under Degen to try. If he fails too, things will slowly become really uncomfortable for the volatile energy bundle from the Basel region. Some fans are still grateful that Degen prevented partial sales abroad. However, at some point this loan will also be used up.