Grasshoppers sack coach scheiblehner after dismal super league run

Grasshopper Club Zürich (GC) has relieved head coach Gerald Scheiblehner of his duties effective immediately, a move triggered by a disastrous season for the Swiss Super League side.

Gc fires coach scheiblehner following heavy defeat

The decision, announced Monday evening, follows a particularly damaging 5-1 loss to FC Thun last Saturday. This defeat exacerbated a poor run of form, with GC securing only seven points in the entire 2026 calendar year. The loss leaves them just five points above the relegation zone after FC Winterthur's victory over FC Luzern.

“It was a difficult decision,” stated GC sporting director Alain Sutter in a club statement. “We had a very good and trusting relationship with Gerald, Alex [Zellhofer], and Toni [Mestrovic]. The coaching team worked with great professionalism and commitment.”

The club has appointed U21 head coach Gernot Messner as interim manager until the end of the season. He will be supported by Shkelzen Gashi, a familiar face from the U21 setup.

Messner, previously with Austrian Bundesliga side Grazer AK, faces a considerable challenge in stabilizing the Super League outfit. The Grasshoppers’ struggles highlight the intense pressure within Swiss football and the swift consequences of poor performance.

The relegation battle in Lausanne is intensifying, and while Luzern will see this as an opportunity to gain ground, GC’s immediate focus is on finding stability before the season concludes. The team's performance this year will undoubtedly be scrutinized, and the club will need to address fundamental issues to avoid a further decline.