Peter Zeidler is back in Super League. The longtime coach of Saint-Gall evokes for Keystone-ATS his new mission in Lausanne-Sport, where his objectives are currently measured.
KEYSTONE
It is still special to see Peter Zeidler with the LS inscription on his gray polo shirt. For six years, the German worked in Eastern Switzerland, playing with President Matthias Hüpppi and the sports director Alain Sutter the FC Saint-Gall, anchored and appreciated in the region.
After the end of his brief commitment to Bundesliga in Buchum last October (seven defeats in eight matches), he knowingly waited for an interesting offer, he explains. Superficial proposals came from Tunisia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia or the Finnish Federation.
Peter Zeidler was also in contact with various Swiss clubs. “All this is not worth talking about it,” says the German technician, who will soon be 63 years old. “It was only with Lausanne that I felt that it could work.”
French teacher by training, Zeidler had already settled in French -speaking Switzerland. But his experience in Sion had lasted just over eight months only (from August 2016 to April 2017), despite a good average of points (1.93 per match). The coaches then had a hard life on the side of Tourbillon.
Similarities with Magnin
In Lausanne, things should be different. Sports director of the LS, Stéphane Henchoz has in any case rented the qualities of his new coach during his official presentation: “Peter knows not only very well Swiss football, but he also brings an international experience. In addition, he has charisma ”.
The leaders of the Vaudois club see Peter Zeidler the ideal man to build on the bases laid by Ludovic Magnin, who left in Basel. The two coaches have certain similarities in their style, playing a lot on emotions.
What attracted Zeidler to this new mission, in addition to his love for French, is obvious: the club has great potential. Septuple champion and nine times winner of the Cup, Lausanne-Sport is evolving in a new stadium and has considerable financial means thanks to the Ineos chemical group.
Tenth in 2023/24, the LS concluded the exercise 2024/25 in 5th row. Is it targeting the podium? Peter Zeidler hesitates: “After having discussed with the management of the club, we knowingly gave up to announce the objective +Top 6+. Of course we don’t want to have anything to do with the fight against relegation, and we are ambitious. But repeating a season like the previous one will not be easy ”
Changes and a major injured
To explain this shy response, the coach evokes upheavals within the team. The LS has let Teddy Okou, Fousseni Diabaté and Aliou Baldé, are managed by 20 goals last season. The departure of midfielder Koba KoiveDi, who followed Magnin in Basel, also weighs heavy.
In addition, the neo-international Alvyn Sanches still lacks the call. The 22 -year -old striker, who was already about to go abroad, will still be absent for several months due to his tear of the cross ligaments contracted in March. Zeidler praises the player’s “very, very positive” attitude and speaks of a good evolution in rehabilitation. But he knows that even if Sanches was to stay at the club, his absence is still long.
“Compared to last season, there are many new players who must first find their brands,” said Zeidler, aware that other Super League clubs live the same situation. But he does not prepare any apologies. “I just think that it is important to evoke the circumstances and to adapt the expectations accordingly,” continues the German, who can congratulate himself on the excellent start of the season of his new team.
Winner of Winterthour 3-2 last Sunday in Super League, a fall of Vardar Skopje Thursday in Conference League thanks to a 5-0 success in the return match, Lausanne will target a third success in a row in Thoune on Sunday. “So far, the team has shown a good mentality. Players are ready to train hard. This is a good prior condition. We will see everything else, ”concludes Peter Zeidler, who inevitably ignites.