Alexander Frei

Frei started his professional career with his hometown club of FC Basel, where he later was transferred to FC Thun, FC Luzern, and Servette FC, all in his native Switzerland. After a transfer to French club Rennes, he finished as the highest goal-scorer in Ligue 1 for the 2004–05 season with 20 goals. He was named Swiss Footballer of the Year the same season. He was also named Swiss Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2007.

Frei then signed a four-year contract with Borussia Dortmund on 29 June 2006. Dortmund paid a transfer fee of approximately €5 million for him. In the 2006–07 season, Frei was the highest goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund with 16 goals in 32 matches.

He recovered from a long-term injury in the 2007–08 season to score six times in his last eight appearances for Borussia Dortmund. After speculation regarding his future, he came back to action against Schalke 04 in the fourth fixture of the Bundesliga. He scored two goals, equalising in an incredible game.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252664&cc=3888&league=GER.1 |title=Borussia Dortmund 3–3 Schalke 04 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=15 July 2010 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629045235/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252664&cc=3888&league=GER.1 |url-status=dead }}

On 17 July 2009, he left Borussia Dortmund after 74 league matches{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/chfreidata.html | title = Alexander Frei - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 5 December 2019 | access-date = 6 December 2019 | publisher = RSSSF.com}} and, after six years, returned to Switzerland to sign with FC Basel.{{cite web |date=17 July 2009 |title=Alex Frei verlässt Dortmund |trans-title=Alex Frei leaves Dortmund. |url=http://derstandard.at/1246542468576/Alex-Frei-verlaesst-Dortmund |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=Derstandard.at |language=de}} He made his debut in a 2–1 win over FC Sion on 26 July 2009. He made an assist and also scored the last minute winner in the match at the Stade Tourbillon.{{cite web |last=Weber |first=Dominik |date=26 July 2009 |title=Alex Frei schiesst FCB in letzter Minute zum Sieg in Sion! |trans-title=Alex Frei shoots FCB to victory in Sion in the last minute! |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID//10044/22636/16/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622190140/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/10044/22370/16/7 |archive-date=22 June 2009 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893}} During the 2009–10 season he scored 15 goals in 19 league games and FC Basel won the Double. During the 2010–11 season he scored 27 goals in 35 league games, becoming the Swiss League Top goalscorer.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Frei won his second Double with Basel, the League Championship title{{cite web |date=29 April 2012 |title=Der 15. Meistertitel für den FCB – die Bilanz einer grandiosen Saison |trans-title=The 15th championship title for FCB – the总结 of a magnificent season. |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/27863/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016142727/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/27863/26/7/7 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=fcb.ch |language=de}} and the Swiss Cup.{{cite web |year=2012 |title=Matchtelegram FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern |trans-title=Match report FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern |url=http://www.football.ch/sfv/chcup/de/telegramm.aspx?tg=1973921 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204154542/http://www.football.ch/sfv/chcup/de/telegramm.aspx?tg=1973921 |archive-date=4 December 2012 |access-date=16 May 2012 |publisher=football.ch |language=de}}

In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Basel advanced as far as the semi-finals, there being matched against the reigning UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea, but were knocked out being beaten 2–5 on aggregate.{{cite web | last = Haylett | first = Trevor | date = 3 May 2013 | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0ea90a67d417-9708b706b81d-1000--basel-take-heart-after-chelsea-defeat/ | title = Basel take heart after Chelsea defeat | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 21 October 2013}} Frei's last game in this competition was as Basel qualified for the quarter-finals in the home game against Tottenham Hotspur, whom they beat 4–1 on penalties after a 4–4 aggregate draw to progress. Frei played his last professional match on 14 April 2013 in the home game at St. Jakob-Park as Basel beat Zürich 3–1. He led the team as captain for this game. He also scored his last goal, a free kick from about 25 meters in the 55th minute. He was substituted some ten minutes later to a standing ovation.{{cite web |last=Marti |first=Caspar |date=14 April 2013 |title=Der FCB schlägt den FCZ bei der Verabschiedung von Alex Frei mit 3:1 |trans-title=FCB beats FCZ 3-1 at Alex Frei's farewell. |url=http://fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30174/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225643/http://fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30174/26/7/7 |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893 |language=de}}{{cite web | last = Meister | first = Remo | date = 14 April 2013 | url = http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30175/26/7/7 | title = Das isch emol e Abschied | publisher = FC Basel 1893 | access-date = 15 June 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225538/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30175/26/7/7 | archive-date = 21 October 2013 | url-status = dead }} At the end of the Swiss Super League season 2012–13, Frei was awarded his fourth championship medal{{cite web | last = Schifferle | first = Michael | date = 10 June 2013 | url = http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1959420.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165758/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1959420.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2013 | title = Season review: Switzerland | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 21 October 2013}} and was awarded a Swiss Cup silver medal.{{cite web | date = 20 May 2013 | url = http://www.football.ch/de/SFV/Schweizer-Cup/Schweizer-Cup-Maenner/Statistik-und-Resultate-Schweizer-Cup/Telegramm-Schweizer-Cup.aspx/tg-2132469/ | title = Telegramm Schweizer Cup Final | publisher = Schweizerischer Fussballverband | access-date = 21 October 2013 | language = de}}

Between the years from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2009 to 2013 Frei played a total of 217 games for Basel scoring a total of 148 goals. 114 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, 15 in the Swiss Cup, 38 in the European competitions (Champions League and Europa League) and 50 were friendly games. He scored 74 goals in the domestic league, 13 in the cup, 22 in the European matches and the other 39 were scored during the test games. With the club he won four league championships and two cup titles.{{cite web | first = | last = Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” | authorlink = | year = 2013 | url = https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/spieler?command=detail&id=985 | title = Alex Frei - FCB Statistic | format = | work = | publisher = Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” | accessdate = 2020-11-16}}

File:Alex frei061115-02.jpg's Luisão in a November 2006 friendly]]

Frei represented Switzerland at Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-21s levels. He played his Swiss U-18s debut on 25 October 1995 in the 5-1 away defeat against the French Under-18s. His Under-21 debut was on 3 September 1999 in the 3-1 away win against Denmark.

Frei played his debut as full international on 24 March 2001,{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/frei-intlg.html | title = Alexander Frei – Goals in International Matches | first = Roberto | last = Mamrud | date = 5 December 2019 | access-date = 6 December 2019 | publisher = RSSSF.com}} being substituted in, during the 1–1 away draw against the Republic of Yugoslavia during the World Cup qualification Group 1 match.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=4395/preliminaries/preliminary=3835/matches/match=19574/report.html |title=Yugoslavia – Switzerland / Match report |publisher=FIFA.com |date=24 March 2001 |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517085523/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D4395/preliminaries/preliminary%3D3835/matches/match%3D19574/report.html |archive-date=17 May 2013}} In the following match, four days later, Frei scored his first three goals for the national team in the 5–0 home win against Luxembourg.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=4395/preliminaries/preliminary=3835/matches/match=19576/report.html |title=Switzerland – Luxembourg / Match report |publisher=FIFA.com |date=28 March 2001 |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516044232/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D4395/preliminaries/preliminary%3D3835/matches/match%3D19576/report.html |archive-date=16 May 2013}}

Frei played for Switzerland at Euro 2004. In a group match against England, he was caught on camera appearing to spit at Steven Gerrard. Although no action was taken at the time, Frei was later charged and given a provisional 15-day suspension by UEFA.{{cite news|title=Frei given 15-day ban|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/switzerland/3821753.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2004}}

He scored six times in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, including a second-minute penalty in the second leg of the play-off against Turkey which his team won on away goals.{{cite news|title=Turkey 4–2 Switzerland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4436038.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=16 November 2005}} At the finals in Germany, Frei was Man of the match in the 2–0 group stage win over Togo in Dortmund, opening the scoring from Tranquillo Barnetta's 17th-minute cross.{{cite news|title=Togo 0–2 Switzerland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853244.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2006}} He concluded a win by the same score against South Korea in the next game to send Switzerland through as group winners. This goal was controversial as referee Horacio Elizondo overruled a judgement of offside by his assistant.{{cite news|title=Switzerland 2–0 South Korea|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853466.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=23 June 2006}}

On 30 May 2008, in Switzerland's final preparation match before co-hosting UEFA Euro 2008, Frei scored twice in a 3–0 friendly win over Liechtenstein. This moved him to 35 goals for the Switzerland national team, surpassing the record of Kubilay Türkyilmaz.{{cite news|title=Switzerland coast home against Liechtenstein|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-coast-home-against-liechtenstein/1018952|access-date=25 May 2015|work=Swissinfo|date=30 May 2008}} However, within the first half of the opening match of the tournament, Frei was injured while captaining the Swiss team and missed the rest of the tournament due to a torn knee ligament in his left knee after a challenge from Czech defender Zdeněk Grygera. He decided to remain with the team to show his support. He later underwent surgery.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/switzerland/7370946.stm |title=Switzerland 0–1 Czech Republic |work=BBC News |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=15 July 2010}}

In a Euro 2012 qualifier at home against Wales, he was booed by his own fans throughout the match, even though Switzerland won the match 4–1. When he was finally substituted the fans in the home sector booed him repeatedly.{{cite news|url=http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+4295-Former-Players-Frei-booed-by+.html|title=Former Players: Frei booed by his own fans|date=18 October 2010|publisher=Stade Rennais Online|access-date=7 October 2017}} On 5 April 2011, he decided to quit from the national squad after being criticised again following a 0–0 draw with Bulgaria on 26 March for the Euro 2012 qualifying match.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/12971409.stm |title=Swiss pair Frei and Strellar [sic] announce retirements |work=BBC News|date=5 April 2011 |access-date=5 April 2011}}

After Frei ended his career, he became new sports director of FC Luzern. This was announced by both FC Basel{{cite web |last=FC Basel 1893 |date=19 March 2013 |title=Alex Frei wird ab Mitte April 2013 Sportdirektor beim FC Luzern |trans-title=Alex Frei will become sporting director at FC Luzern starting mid-April 2013. |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/29896/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616012539/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/29896/26/7/7 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893 |language=de}} and Luzern{{cite web |date=19 March 2013 |title=Alex Frei wechselt am 15. April zum FC Luzern |trans-title=Alex Frei is moving to FC Luzern on April 15th. |url=http://www.fcl.ch/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=78931&action=viewdet&ID=1617 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Luzern |language=de}} on 19 March 2013.

He was interim manager of FC Basel in 2018.{{Cite web |last=fcb.ch |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Assistenztrainer U14 und U16 |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes new U14 and U16 assistant coach. |url=https://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/05/15/Alex-Frei-wird-neuer-Assistenztrainer-U14-und-U16 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180727024550/https://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/05/15/Alex-Frei-wird-neuer-Assistenztrainer-U14-und-U16 |archive-date=2018-07-27 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=FC Basel 1893 |language=de-DE}} In September 2020, he became head coach of FC Wil 1900.{{Cite web |last=Wettstein |first=Mischi |date=2020-09-07 |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Trainer beim FC Wil |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes new coach at FC Wil |url=https://www.nau.ch/sport/fussball/alex-frei-wird-neuer-trainer-beim-fc-wil-65776352 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Nau |language=de-CH}} He stepped down from this position in November 2021 and in December signed on as head coach of FC Winterthur.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=FC Wil 1900 und Alex Frei trennen sich |trans-title=FC Wil 1900 and Alex Frei part ways. |url=https://fcwil.ch/2021/11/09/fc-wil-1900-und-alex-frei-trennen-sich/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=FC Wil 1900 |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Alex Frei neuer Trainer beim FCW |trans-title=Alex Frei new coach at FCW. |url=https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/alex-frei-neuer-trainer-beim-fcw/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220529120951/https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/alex-frei-neuer-trainer-beim-fcw/ |archive-date=2022-05-29 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=fcwinterthur.ch}} After successfully leading Winterthur to promotion to the Super League, he was signed by his former club FC Basel to be their new head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcb.ch/aktuell/news/1-mannschaft/alex-frei-neuer-fcb-trainer/|title=Alex Frei ist der neue FCB-Trainer |trans-title=Alex Frei is the new FCB coach|website=FC Basel|language=de|date=23 May 2022|access-date=31 May 2022}} Frei and Basel parted ways on 7 February 2023, with the team sitting in seventh place in the table.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcb.ch/aktuell/news/1-mannschaft/fcb-trennt-sich-von-cheftrainer-alex-frei/|title=DER FCB TRENNT SICH VON CHEFTRAINER ALEX FREI|trans-title=Alex Frei and FCB part ways|website=FC Basel|language=de|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 February 2023}} According to FC Basel sporting director Heiko Vogel the 0–1 loss away to Grasshopper Club Zürich, following five league games without a win, on 4 February 2023, three days before, "was one defeat too many". On 1 February 2023, Basel had defeated Grasshoppers 5–3 in Zurich in their round of 16 match of the 2022–23 Swiss Cup. On 12 June 2023, he was announced as the new head coach of FC Aarau,{{Cite web |last=Dellas |first=Traianos |date=2023-02-04 |title=DF999 |url=https://df999-elite.online |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=df999-elite.online |language=en}}{{cite news |date=12 June 2023 |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Cheftrainer des FC Aarau |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes the new head coach of FC Aarau. |url=https://fcaarau.ch/news/alex-frei-wird-neuer-cheftrainer-des-fc-aarau/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |website=fcaarau.ch |publisher=FC Aarau |language=de}} thus returning to the Swiss Challenge League. On 25 March 2024, he departed his position by mutual consent with the club to take a step back from coaching.{{cite news |date=25 March 2024 |title=Alex Frei löst Vertrag auf und nimmt eine Auszeit |trans-title=Alex Frei terminates contract and takes a break. |url=https://fcaarau.ch/news/alex-frei-loest-vertrag-auf-und-nimmt-eine-auszeit/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=fcaarau.ch |publisher=FC Aarau |language=de-ch}} At the time of his departure, Aarau were in 3rd place, however with a significant gap to a promotion spot. In his last game, his team managed a late 2–0 win against cantonal rivals FC Baden.

Alexander is of no relation to club and country team mate Fabian Frei.{{cite web | url = http://socqer.com/questions/1124/fabian-frei-alexander-frei-both-scored-for-basle-tonight-but-are-unrelated-are-any-players-in-this-seasons-champions-league-that-are-related/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930001525/http://socqer.com/questions/1124/fabian-frei-alexander-frei-both-scored-for-basle-tonight-but-are-unrelated-are-any-players-in-this-seasons-champions-league-that-are-related | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 September 2011 | title = Fabian Frei & Alexander Frei both scored for Basel tonight but are unrelated – are any players in this season's Champions League that are related? | publisher = socqer.com | date = 14 September 2011 | access-date = 15 June 2013}} However, he is the second-cousin of Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper and former Swiss youth international Stefan Frei.{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/swiss-striker-frei-has-a-nose-for-goal-1.842095 | work=CBC News | title=Swiss striker Frei has a nose for goal | date=13 May 2010 | access-date = 29 April 2012}} His younger sister Andrea plays football for the Basel ladies team. He is married to Nina and they have a daughter born in 2012.{{cite web |date=26 June 2012 |title=Glückwünsche für Nina und Alex Frei: Töchterchen Lia ist da! |trans-title=Congratulations to Nina and Alex Frei: Daughter Lia is here! |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/28123/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115163615/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/28123/26/7/7 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=2 November 2012 |publisher=FC Basel |language=de}}

:Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Frei goal.

{{updated|12 November 2023}}

Servette

• Swiss Cup: 2000–01

Basel

• Swiss Super League: 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
• Swiss Cup: 2009–10, 2011–12

Individual

• Credit Suisse Player of the Year: 2003
• Ligue 1 Golden Boot: 2004–05 (20 goals)
• Credit Suisse Player of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2007{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-skipper-frei-nets-football-award/60010|title=Swiss skipper Frei nets football award|publisher=Swiss Info|date=30 May 2007|access-date=29 July 2019}}
• Swiss Super League Golden Boot: 2010–11 (27 goals), 2011–12 (24 goals)
• Axpo Super League Player of the Year: 2011, 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/footballer_of_the_year/schweiz/|title=Player of the year » Switzerland|publisher=World Football|access-date=28 July 2019}}
• Swiss Golden Player Award: "Best Forward": 2011,{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2010-11 |title=2010/11 / Letzte Jahre Home - Swiss Golden Player Award |language=de |publisher=goldenplayer.ch |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503012756/http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2010-11 |archive-date=3 May 2013}} 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Awards/Prix-du-Public/Football/BEST-FORWARD-2012 |title=Best Forward 2012 |language=de |publisher=goldenplayer.ch |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503202157/http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Awards/Prix-du-Public/Football/BEST-FORWARD-2012 |archive-date=3 May 2013}}
• Swiss Super League Team of the Year: 2014–15

{{Reflist}}

{{commons}}

• {{Worldfootball.net|alexander-frei}}
• {{Fussballdaten|alexander-frei}}
• {{SFL|team=52457|player=262181}}
• {{Soccerway|alexander-frei/223}}
• {{Official website|http://www.alexfrei.ch}} {{in lang|de}}
• [http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Alexander-Frei.html Alexander Frei's profile, stats & pics] {{in lang|fr}}

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Category:Swiss men's footballers

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