Surprising decision
Switzerland separates from Pia Sundhage
November 3, 2025 – 9:52 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Just a few months after the home European Championship, Switzerland is parting ways with national coach Pia Sundhage. The search for a successor is ongoing.
The Swiss Football Association has surprisingly parted ways with women’s national coach Pia Sundhage. The SFV announced this on Monday. It is still unclear who will succeed the Swedish coaching icon – but two former Hamburger SV players play a major role in the planning.
Association President Peter Knäbel praised Sundhage’s commitment in a statement: She “took over the team in 2024 in a difficult phase and led it through an unforgettable European Championship in our country,” said Knäbel, who was the unfortunate sports director at HSV from 2014 to 2016. “In doing so, together with the players and staff, she has laid the foundation for a promising future in Swiss women’s football.”
Sundhage took over the selection in spring 2024 and made it to the quarter-finals of the European Championship in the summer. There Switzerland lost to eventual finalist Spain. The long-time national coach had previously led the USA to two Olympic victories, and the 65-year-old also coached the national teams of Sweden and Brazil.
Johan Djourou plays a central role in the upcoming new lineup. The former defender, who was active in the Bundesliga for Hannover and during Knäbel’s time at Hamburger SV, will in future take over technical management of both the senior national team and the junior team. Organizationally, Djourou is involved in the newly created “Women’s Football Directorate”.