GC under fire: Coach Scheiblehner criticizes poor performance!

GC under fire: Coach Scheiblehner criticizes poor performance!

On December 7, 2025, Grasshoppers Zurich experienced a setback when they lost 1-0 against Servette in Letzigrund. Coach Gerald Scheiblehner, who has only been on the sidelines for a short time, was open about his team's weak performance and made no secret of his disappointment.

“We lack energy, both physically and mentally,” said Scheiblehner, who senses the fatigue in his players but cannot find a clear explanation for it. The decisive goal for Servette came in the 21st minute when Steve Rouiller scored from a set piece. Scheiblehner criticized his players' body language and lack of freshness, especially in the first 30 to 35 minutes.

An unexpected triple change

Given the poor performance, Scheiblehner decided to make a triple substitution in the 38th minute. He brought three young players into the game to bring a breath of fresh air into the game and motivate the team. “This change was not planned and had nothing to do with the individual performance of the players,” explained the 48-year-old. However, it remains to be seen whether the message got through to the players as the result remained inadequate.

Gerald Scheiblehner, who moved from Blau-Weiss Linz to Grasshoppers, has signed a contract until 2027. He succeeds Tomas Oral, whose contract was not extended. “I’m bringing two assistants with me: Toni Mestrovic and Alexander Zellhofer,” said Scheiblehner, who previously had a successful season in the Austrian Bundesliga and led Linz to the top division in 2023.

The challenge in professional football

The challenges that Scheiblehner faces are not just of a technical nature. In a fast-paced environment like professional football, the mental health of players also plays an important role. Experts in the field of sports psychology are crucial for optimizing performance and contribute to the resilience of athletes. In this context, the German Football Association (DFB) offers an opportunity to further develop skills in this special discipline with its “Expert in Football Psychology” certificate.

As the Grasshoppers situation shows, building a stable and efficient team as well as dealing with pressure and expectations is a central part of coaching work. Scheiblehner will do everything he can to ensure that his players regain the freshness they need to be successful in the league again.

Overall, it remains to be seen whether the Grasshoppers will be able to turn things around under Scheiblehner's guidance. There is understandable frustration with the performance against Servette, and the new coach has accepted the challenge of changing the dynamic in his team. In addition to the purely sporting aspects, the mental strength of the players will also be crucial in order to bring the necessary performance onto the pitch.

As the Grasshoppers continue to look for a successful path, it is hoped that they can learn from recent experiences and perform better in the upcoming games.

Nah reports on the disappointing defeat and Scheiblehner's critical analysis, while SRF the background to Scheiblehner's commitment is illuminated. For further information on the subject of sports psychology and its importance in football, please visit DFB Academy interesting insights.