Full name Fussballclub Zürich Ground Capacity 25,000 Arena/Stadium Letzigrund Manager Ulrich Forte Chairperson Ancillo Canepa | Ground Letzigrund, Zürich Chairman Ancillo Canepa League Swiss Challenge League Location Zürich, Switzerland | |
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Nickname(s) Der Stadtclub (The City Club) 2015–16 Swiss Super League, 10th (relegated) Founded 1 August 1896, Zürich, Switzerland Profiles | ||
Fc basel vs fc z rich 4 1 09 08 2014 highlights
Fussballclub Zürich, commonly abbreviated to FC Zürich, FCZ or simply Zürich, is a Swiss football club from the city of Zürich, currently playing in the Challenge League, the second tier in the Swiss football league system. The club was founded in 1896 and have won the Swiss Super League 12 times and the Swiss Cup nine times. The club won the 2009 Swiss Super League and last won the Swiss Cup in 2016. They play their home games at the Letzigrund in Zürich, which seats 25,000. For the women's team see FC Zürich Frauen.
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1896–1924
The club was founded on 1 August 1896 by former members of the three local clubs (FC Turicum, FC Viktoria, and FC Excelsior). One of them was the FC Barcelona founder, Joan Gamper.
Zürich won its first title in the Swiss Serie A in 1901–02, but did not win it again until 1923–24.
Until the 1930s, the club's sporting remit also included rowing, boxing, athletics, and handball, but later focused solely on football.
1925–1960
Between 1925 and 1960, Zürich were in the "wilderness years," devoid of success. The club struggled to keep in the top flight and were relegated from the Super League in 1933–34, playing in the 1. Liga until 1941. In 1940–41, they returned to the Nationalliga, where they stayed until their relegation in 1945–46. They were back in the Nationalliga A in 1947–48 and stayed in the top flight until relegated once more in 1956–57. They were promoted from the Nationalliga B to contest the 1958–59 Nationalliga A, finishing in third place.
1960–1981
This period was known as the "Golden Years" by the FCZ faithful. At this time, the club was run by the legendary President Edwin Nägeli and had players such as Köbi Kuhn, Fritz Künzli, Ilija Katić, René Botteron, and many more. Zürich won seven championships in the years 1963, 1966, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1981. They also won the Swiss Cup five times in 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, and in 1976. FCZ also had some success in Europe getting to the semi-finals of the European Cup 1963–64, before losing to Real Madrid and also reaching the semi-finals in the European Cup 1976–77, where they lost to Liverpool.
1981–2005
Following the club's league title in 1981, the club went into a decline and in 1988 they were relegated to the Nationalliga B. Zürich returned to the top league in 1990. The club did make it to last 16 of the UEFA Cup 1998–99, but were beaten by Roma. The club won the Swiss Cup in 2000, beating Lausanne in the final and also in 2005 beating Luzern.
Recent years
On 13 May 2006, FCZ ended their 25 years wait for a league title with a dramatic final day victory against FC Basel to win the Super League. They won thanks to a goal scored in the 93rd minute by Iulian Filipescu. The goal gave FCZ a 2 – 1 victory and secured the title on goal difference over FC Basel. In 2006–07, they also won the league.
In the 2007–08 season, FCZ finished in third place. In the 2008–09 season, they won the league, edging out BSC Young Boys. 2009 they qualified for the first time in the club's history for the group-stage of the UEFA Champions League. In the 2010–11 season FCZ finished second. The following seasons they finished mostly in mid-table positions. FCZ won the Swiss Cup 2014 with a 2:0 victory after extra time against FC Basel.
In the 2015–16 season the club finished last, one point behind FC Lugano and was relegated to the Swiss Challenge League. Four days after the final game of the season FCZ won the Swiss Cup beating FC Lugano 1:0.
Honours
Rivalries
Local club Grasshopper, along with FC Basel, are the main rivals of FCZ. Due to the intense rivalry, these matches are so-called "High Risk Games," with an increased police presence in and around the stadium.
Zürich
Since its inception, FCZ has always had a fiery relationship with neighbouring club Grasshopper over sporting supremacy in the city. Grasshoppers are known as the club of the elite and FCZ are known as the club of the workers. The matches between the two clubs are known as the only true local derby in Swiss professional football.
Final vs. FC Basel, 13 May 2006
Before the last round of the 2005–06 Swiss Super League, Zürich were three points behind FC Basel in the league table. The last game of the season was contested by these two clubs vying for the league title at St. Jakob Park, Basel. Alhassane Keita scored the first goal for Zürich. In the second half, Mladen Petrić equalised. FC Basel were seconds away from the title when in the 93rd minute, Florian Stahel passed the ball to Iulian Filipescu, who scored and made it 2 – 1 for Zürich. Zürich won the league title due to their superior goal difference. After the final whistle, the field was stormed by Basel supporters who also attacked Zürich players (see 2006 Basel Hooligan Incident).
Current squad
Updated 3 February 2017.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable former players
Players and managers admitted to the FC Zurich Hall of Fame
source:
Players for the Swiss national football team
Players with World Cup appearances for their national teams
Player records
source appearances:
source scorers: