Sports director completely rebuilds club: The great Malenovic revolution at FCZ

The enthusiastic chess player took his first big step shortly after the start of his term by hiring Ricardo Moniz (59) and academy director Sascha Milicevic (47). Three months after his appointment, Moniz has now become a U21 coach in addition to his job as head of player development. Previous coach Genesio Colatrella (51) switches to the U19.

Twelve changes in three months

This castling with carriages is one of the many changes. The FCZ currently communicates with new names in new positions almost daily. The most recent example: Roberto Rodriguez (33), previously captain of the U21s, becomes the new team manager of the pros. It is the twelfth personnel change that the club has made since Malenovic’s arrival.

The most explosive personality was ex-COO Nick Gast, who reportedly caused a wave of resignations internally due to a bad mood in the office and being hated by the fans. The FCZ replaced him with Reto Herzog, who was previously a project manager at the club.

No extra budget for new additions

In addition to the sporting changes, the changes also have financial consequences. How do the many newly created positions fit into the budget? FCZ chairman Ancillo Canepa (70) told Blick: “We do not have a special or additional budget. The goal is to offset the ‘new’ costs by reducing the ‘old’ costs.”

Such costs were saved, for example, by club icon Davide Taini (47). The ex-goalkeeper coach was replaced a few weeks ago by David Santangelo (30). The same scenario also threatens chief scout Thomas Bickel (60). Because Malenovic brought in a new international chief scout this week, Matthias Ringler (33, ex-Rapid Vienna). Will Bickel now move to the second level or be given a new task within the club? Unclear on this point.

Ajax philosophy as a role model

With the many changes, Malenovic also wants to create uniform structures – from the juniors to the first team. A training philosophy à la Ajax. The former player-agent relies on familiar faces: in Dennis Hediger (37, U16), he has brought in a coach who was under contract with Malenovic when he still played at FC Thun.

Does the team leader have complete freedom when he wants to create new positions and hire staff? Canepa: “We started planning this realignment a few months ago. As with other questions, we work here as a team and discuss any personnel adjustments in advance. The implementation of our strategy and the pace of the various adjustments is what we want.”

And yet the pace that the FCZ is setting under Malenovic is surprising. The end of the renovation is not yet in sight. On the contrary: the following personnel decisions will be made soon. At the training camp in Spain, where FCZ is preparing for the second half of the season, Malenovic and Co. at the table with head coach Bo Henriksen (48) and talking about the immediate and long-term future. The next building block in the Malenovic revolution at FCZ.