FC Thun’s Swiss Fairytale Continues: Newly Promoted Side Chasing Historic Title
In the picturesque Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, a remarkable football story is unfolding. FC Thun, recently promoted back to the Super League after five years in the second tier, is not merely surviving – it’s thriving, and challenging for the league title. Comparisons are being drawn to improbable championship runs of the past, like Kaiserslautern’s Bundesliga triumph in 1998, Leicester City’s Premier League victory in 2016, and Mjällby’s Swedish title win.
The club, with a market value of just 16 million euros – the second-lowest in the 12-team league, significantly below Young Boys’ 67 million euros – has defied expectations. According to club president Andres Gerber, the initial goal was simply to finish in the top half of the table. However, after 22 matches, Thun holds a commanding nine-point lead over second-placed Lugano, having also scored the most goals and conceded the fewest.
The team’s success is particularly striking given that Swiss public broadcaster SRF notes no team has ever relinquished such a substantial lead at this stage of the Super League season since its inception in 2003-04. The possibility of a title win is no longer a distant dream, but a tangible prospect for the town of Thun, a lakeside community of 45,000 people.
“Budget, market value, transfer sums, that’s mathematics. But football isn’t mathematics,” Thun manager Mauro Lustrinelli told the NZZ, explaining his philosophy. He has built a cohesive unit, one that doesn’t necessarily dominate every game, but consistently delivers results.
Cementing their credentials, Thun secured a 2-1 victory against defending champions Basel last weekend, a result widely seen as a significant step towards the title. The win resonated throughout the club and the community, fueling the growing belief that this season could be truly special.
The success is rooted in a blend of factors, according to Andres Gerber, including “a successful mix of humanity, professionalism, expertise, money and, above all, a lived continuity.” Gerber, a former captain and sporting director of the club, has overseen a period of stability and growth, culminating in this unexpected title challenge.
Lustrinelli, who previously led Thun to the Champions League in 2005, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity. He learned from experienced managers like Hanspeter Latour and Ottmar Hitzfeld, and has instilled a strong team ethic and tactical discipline.
Players like Leonardo Bertone, praised for his striking ability and compared to David Beckham, embody the team’s spirit, and quality. They represent a combination of talent, teamwork, and a clear tactical approach.
“We are Thun, we are down-to-earth. And we are slowly getting used to winning,” midfielder Valmir Matoshi said after the victory at St. Jakob-Park, reflecting the team’s grounded attitude and growing confidence.
Lustrinelli acknowledged the comparisons to Kaiserslautern, telling Transfermarkt that he allows the fans to dream. The club’s history includes two second-division titles (2009-10 and 2024-25), but the prospect of lifting the Swiss top-flight trophy is generating unprecedented excitement.
Thun will continue their pursuit of the title on Sunday with a match against struggling Servette in Geneva. Their home ground, the Stockhorn Arena, a modern 10,000-capacity stadium with an artificial turf, hosted matches during last year’s Women’s European Championships, and is now the scene of a potential football fairytale.
