After the departure of Peter Zeidler to the Bundesliga, FC St. Gallen had to go in search of a coach – and has now agreed on a successor. Enrico Maassen will take over at the Swiss first division club from the coming season
Maßen last coached Bundesliga club FC Augsburg for over a year before the now eleventh-placed team in the table pulled the ripcord at the beginning of October due to the poor start to the past season and released the 40-year-old. Since then, the Wismar-born coach has not accepted a new job – until now.
Maaßen “directly felt the energy and stability of the club “
Because former coach Peter Zeidler, who led FC St. Gallen to fifth place in the Credit Suisse Super League in the 2023/24 season, was poached by Bundesliga participant VfL Bochum, the club’s management recently had to search for a new coach and found what they were looking for in the ex-Fuggerstadt man. “I was impressed by the respectful manner in which they approached me. I immediately sensed the energy and stability of the club,” says Maassen, explaining his decision to join St. Gallen.
Before joining the FCA in the Bundesliga, he coached Borussia Dortmund’s second team for two years, achieving promotion to the 3rd division during his time at BVB and then securing a commanding 9th place finish. “Enrico’s path as a still young head coach is remarkable. In his previous positions, he has proven that he not only works successfully, but also constantly develops himself, the teams and individual players,” said St. Gallen’s Head of Sport Roger Stilz.
With St. Gallen, Maassen will get a taste of international football, as fifth place in Switzerland entitles him to participate in the Europa Conference League qualifiers. Maassen signs a contract until the summer of 2027