Is YB collapsing now?: These are the Bernese parallels to the FCB crash

It is practically impossible that the people of Bern face the same fate as the collapsing FCB. Some parallels with the FCB decline can still be seen before today’s crisis summit.

YB fan Pedro Lenz speaks of “a new dimension” because the Bernese fired Raphael Wicky in the first place. Only: The Young Boys copied this move from FCB. Under the leadership duo Heusler/Heitz, coaches were fired several times, even though they achieved everything in terms of results. Heiko Vogel was released a few weeks after the double victory, Murat Yakin shortly after the championship celebration. New focuses were needed, leaving the comfort zone, entertainment for the fans, something to talk about. Urs Fischer also had to leave with the championship trophy and cup bucket in his hand. At the time, fans complained that the game was not attractive enough. And European is not enough. Victories alone were no longer enough. Hooray there was a lot of demand for football. Magical nights under a European spotlight. A development that can also be seen in Bern. Wicky achieved all the goals set with YB, but the fans never seem to warm up to the team’s style of play. And YB was not there internationally last season.

«We are 17 points ahead of YB. There is room to try something. If things go wrong, we are still ahead,” said FCB legend Marco Streller in the summer of 2017 after taking up his position as sporting director. As a result, incredible sums of money are invested for new players, but in many cases the announced rockets do not ignite. Dimitri Oberlin, who came over from RB Salzburg for more than five million, is a symbol. The Berners have also appointed an inexperienced sports director, Steve von Bergen, since the summer of 2022. But he enjoys – in complete contrast to Streller – the support of competent people. With Bernhard Burgener, Streller had a president who had no football expert behind him, while Von Bergen can rely on the expertise of Christoph Spycher, Gerard Castella and Stéphane Chapuisat.

Since the departure of Roche heiress Gigi Oeri, no one in Basel opens their wallets when something goes wrong. Things worked out well under Heusler and Heitz as they qualified for the Champions League year after year and were able to sell players abroad for incredible sums of money. However, under Bernhard Burgener and David Degen, the reserves have been used up and the structural deficit hangs over the club like a sword of Damocles. The time for fat contracts is over. At YB, on the other hand, Stefan Rihs is a man who is in charge and has the necessary financial resources.

An important reason why YB is far from falling into the same waters as FCB. If they lose today, they are in danger of falling against the Barrage-Platz; they are only two points ahead of Lausanne. Despite three defeats in a row, the Bernese still have every chance of winning the championship title.

Also because the Super League’s best striker, Jean-Pierre Nsame, did not end up at Servette as he wanted, but because the YB officials insisted that he move abroad.

What seemed like a hare-foot strategy at the time with a seven-point lead could now be the tip of the scale for the title as the championship race heats up again.