FM24 | Return to St. Gallen – A New Chapter Begins

Why St. Gallen?

Some clubs just get under your skin—and for me, FC St. Gallen is one of them. I’ve managed them across several versions of Football Manager, and each time I return, I find new inspiration and fresh challenges. There’s something about this club—the underdog status, the passionate fans, the flashes of potential—that keeps pulling me back.

In Football Manager 2024, I’m once again heading to eastern Switzerland with a clear purpose: to build something lasting. This isn’t about a quick promotion push or a one-season wonder—this is about transforming St. Gallen into a club that can compete consistently at the top of Swiss football and eventually test itself on the European stage.

The Club Vision – A Perfect Fit

One of the reasons FC St. Gallen stands out as the ideal club for this project is how closely the club’s vision aligns with my own philosophy as a manager. The board’s expectations are ambitious but realistic—they want a team that not only competes near the top of the Swiss Super League but also plays with a clear identity rooted in attacking football and youth development.

The media are buzzing with predictions that we’ll be in the hunt for European qualification spots, and the board supports this ambition, but with a long-term perspective. This isn’t about chasing immediate glory through big-money signings or short-term fixes. Instead, they’ve outlined a strategic vision focused on building a sustainable, competitive team that grows from within.

This vision places heavy emphasis on playing an attacking brand of football—fast-paced, aggressive, and entertaining. The club wants a high-tempo style with plenty of pressing and proactive play, aiming to dominate matches rather than sit back and absorb pressure. This suits my own tactical inclinations perfectly and provides a clear framework to build upon.

I'm returning to Kybunpark again in FM24

Equally important is the club’s commitment to developing young players. St. Gallen’s proud tradition of promoting talent from their academy and scouting young prospects aligns with my passion for nurturing emerging stars. The board is keen on integrating youth into the first team, providing them opportunities to grow and eventually become core contributors. This approach also reflects smart financial management, focusing on long-term investment rather than quick returns.

The club’s vision extends beyond just the first team—it’s about fostering a strong culture throughout the entire club, from the youth ranks up to the senior squad. Creating a clear identity and culture is key to ensuring consistency on and off the pitch. This kind of alignment makes my job easier because the expectations at every level support the same philosophy.

For a manager who enjoys long-term projects, this is a dream scenario. I’m not here to just “win now” and move on—I want to be the architect of a club that plays exciting football, develops talent, and consistently challenges for top honours. The clear, shared vision at St. Gallen means there’s a solid foundation to build something lasting and meaningful.

Key Players to Build Around

There are already some excellent building blocks at St. Gallen, and these players will be crucial to shaping the team’s identity and long-term success.

Lawrence Ati Zigi (Goalkeeper) provides a rock-solid presence between the sticks. His consistency and leadership give the backline confidence—a vital asset for a side playing high-intensity, high-press football that can sometimes leave gaps at the back. Ati Zigi’s command of his area and communication help maintain defensive organization, making him an indispensable figure in goal.

In midfield, Jordi Quintillà serves as the calm, composed anchor. His technical ability and tactical intelligence allow him to control the tempo and recycle possession efficiently, which fits perfectly with the team’s high-tempo playing style. Quintillà acts as the cerebral hub, dictating play and providing the stability needed during quick transitions and pressing phases.

Lucas Gortlers combative style complements my technical midfield

Complementing him is Lucas Görtler, the hardworking, energetic midfielder who brings grit and determination. Görtler’s relentless work rate and defensive contributions are key to sustaining the team’s press. His box-to-box style means he supports both defense and attack, providing balance and intensity in midfield.

On the wings, Isaac Schmidt is a pacey threat whose ability to beat defenders and deliver dangerous crosses adds width and penetration to the attack. His speed stretches opposition defenses, creating space for teammates to exploit, while his precise delivery fuels goal-scoring chances.

Academy graduate Christian Witzig offers a different kind of threat on the flanks. His creativity, intelligence, and vision allow him to unlock defenses with incisive passes and clever movement. Developing homegrown talents like Witzig not only strengthens the squad but also deepens the club’s identity and connection with fans.

Christian Witzig is an ideal midfielder for the style I want to see

Up front, the youthful trio of Julian von Moos, Felix Mambimbi, and Willem Geubbels embodies the team’s hunger and potential. Von Moos brings physicality and finishing prowess, Mambimbi offers explosive pace and intelligent runs, while Geubbels adds flair and technical skill. Together, they provide a dynamic and versatile attacking line that, with the right guidance, could develop into a lethal force.

Finally, the recent signing of Bastien Toma injects a dose of creativity and composure in central midfield. His flair and calmness on the ball complement the energy of the other midfielders and offer a valuable mix of experience and youth in key areas.

This group forms a strong foundation—combining leadership, technical ability, energy, and youthful potential. My role is to nurture their strengths, shape their development, and integrate new signings who align with our high-pressing, attacking style. Together, they’ll be the heart of a team that can grow, compete, and eventually challenge the league’s traditional powerhouses.

Playing Style – Fast, Fearless, and Forward

From day one, my ambition is to create a team that embodies an exciting, high-energy brand of football—fast, fearless, and relentlessly forward. I want St. Gallen to be a side that doesn’t just react to opponents but imposes its will on the game through pace, intensity, and tactical discipline.

At the core of this style is a high pressing system. Pressing aggressively high up the pitch forces opponents into mistakes and quick turnovers, allowing us to regain possession in dangerous areas. This approach demands incredible fitness, focus, and teamwork, so every player must buy into the philosophy. It’s not just about chasing the ball, but knowing when and where to press, cutting off passing lanes, and working collectively to suffocate the opposition’s build-up.

Offensively, the aim is to attack with purpose and speed. That means quick transitions from defense to attack, exploiting spaces left by opponents, and using the team’s natural width to stretch defenses. I want my wide players like Isaac Schmidt and Christian Witzig to take on defenders, whip in dangerous crosses, or cut inside to create shooting opportunities. Movement off the ball is key—players need to be constantly available for passes, making clever runs that open up channels and create overloads in attacking zones.

While attacking with tempo, I also want to maintain positional discipline. High-tempo football can easily become chaotic if players lose their shape, so the team must be tactically drilled. The midfielders, especially Jordi Quintillà and Lucas Görtler, have to balance pressing and positioning—supporting both attack and defense seamlessly.

Of course, I’m mindful of the squad’s current limitations, especially in terms of depth and experience. While the identity is clear, there will be moments where pragmatism is needed—sometimes sitting a bit deeper or absorbing pressure to protect a lead. This flexibility will be crucial as we build the squad to fully embody this style over time.

Ultimately, I want St. Gallen’s playing style to be both effective and entertaining. Our fans deserve to see a team that battles hard, takes the game to opponents, and plays with flair and freedom. If we can win games while thrilling the supporters, it will lay a strong foundation for lasting success on and off the pitch.

Training Ground Standards

Success on matchday doesn’t start at kickoff—it starts on the training pitch. That’s why one of my top priorities at St. Gallen is to establish and maintain elite training standards. The way we train sets the tone for everything else: intensity, discipline, identity, and ambition. If we want to play fast, fearless football with tactical cohesion, that level of performance has to be ingrained during the week, not just expected on the weekend.

First and foremost, our training sessions will reflect the way we want to play: high pressing, quick transitions, intelligent movement, and constant communication. Every drill will serve a purpose—whether it’s building fitness to sustain our tempo, sharpening decision-making under pressure, or fine-tuning our attacking patterns. I don’t want passive sessions or half-speed walkthroughs; training should feel like a compressed, controlled version of a real match.

But it's not just about running intense drills for the sake of it. There's a structure and rhythm to the week. Early in the week, we focus on physical recovery and technical sharpness. Midweek is where tactical shape, pressing triggers, and attacking automation come into play. Leading into matchday, the focus narrows to set pieces, situational training, and mental readiness. Every day has a goal—and every player knows what’s expected of them.

Player development is at the heart of this approach. I’ll be hands-on when it comes to monitoring individual progress. Training isn’t just about fitness or tactics—it’s about growth. That means setting development plans, providing feedback (positive and corrective), and rewarding consistent effort. Players who show hunger and adaptability in training will get their chance in the first team. Those who coast will be challenged. I want a competitive environment, but one that also feels fair, transparent, and forward-thinking.

Equally important is building a culture of accountability. Standards matter—whether it's being five minutes early to a session, maintaining focus during video analysis, or pushing yourself and your teammates through the last drill of the day. That’s how habits form. That’s how winning cultures are built.

I also want the training ground to be a place where young players can step into the spotlight, not just fill numbers. Integrating academy players into first-team training sessions will be a regular occurrence. Not only does it help their development, but it raises the standards for everyone. If a 19-year-old is pressing like his life depends on it, the senior pros will feel that competitive edge—and that’s exactly what I want.

Ultimately, the training ground will be our engine room—where we forge the identity we want to show on the pitch. This is where buy-in happens. This is where cohesion is built. And if we do it right, we won’t just play with intensity on matchdays—we’ll live it, every single day.

The Long-Term Plan – Build, Develop, Dominate

While every season matters, this project isn’t just about the short-term grind. It’s about building something that lasts—a club with a clear identity, sustainable success, and a squad that evolves together over time. At FC St. Gallen, I see the perfect opportunity to shape a long-term footballing project grounded in youth, tactical clarity, and smart recruitment.

The first step is to establish a clear recruitment strategy. The Swiss market is full of undervalued talent—players with raw ability and strong fundamentals who, with the right coaching and development, can grow into elite performers. I’ll be leaning heavily on this knowledge of the domestic scene to identify players who not only fit our tactical system but also match the club’s values: hungry, hardworking, and highly coachable.

Take Alvyn Sanches, for example—a versatile, fearless playmaker who thrives between the lines. Or Ardon Jashari, a tactically intelligent midfielder with the energy and vision to thrive in a pressing system. In defence, Aurèle Amenda has all the tools to become a dominant centre-back: height, composure, and the ability to play out from the back. These types of profiles—young, tactically adaptable, and full of potential—will be the cornerstone of my recruitment efforts. They’re not just signings for now—they’re investments in where we’re going.

But recruitment is only one side of the equation. Just as crucial is building a robust development pipeline. I want to make St. Gallen a club where young players don’t just make cameos—they grow into leaders. That means establishing a culture where training and development are taken seriously at all levels. The goal is to create a self-sustaining squad model: identify early, develop consistently, and promote confidently.

To do this, I’ll be expanding our scouting and data analysis infrastructure. I want a recruitment team that can spot breakout talent across domestically and emerging markets like Scandinavia and the Balkans. African and South America are consistent producers of value-for-money young talent for European clubs. In Switzerand, we're ideally placed to buy these players with a view to developing and selling them onto bigger Leagues.

But beyond potential, I’m looking for players who fit our system—pressing intensity, quick ball circulation, and intelligent off-ball movement. Every signing must serve the broader tactical and cultural vision.

Of course, development takes time. The first couple of seasons will be about laying the foundations—getting the right players in, instilling the tactical identity, and competing for a top-half finish and perhaps a European qualification spot. Season by season, the squad will evolve. Depth will be added. Experience will be balanced with youth. And slowly but surely, we’ll begin to close the gap on the traditional powerhouses like Young Boys and Basel.

Ultimately, the long-term goal is clear: turn FC St. Gallen into a top-tier Swiss side that not only competes domestically but regularly qualifies for Europe—and doesn’t just make up the numbers there. I want us to be the team nobody wants to draw. A club with a clear style, a reputation for developing talent, and the infrastructure to sustain success long after this managerial era ends.

The vision is bold. The path will have challenges. But with the right structure, the right people, and the right principles, I believe we can transform this club into a modern powerhouse—on our own terms.

Looking Ahead

It’s going to take time—two or three seasons at least—to fully implement my vision. But I believe the foundation is there. This is a club with history, identity, and ambition. Now it just needs the right direction. I’m here to provide it.

Every rebuild starts with a plan—and this is mine. I’ll be back soon with tactical insights and transfer updates as the project takes shape. Until then, thanks for reading.