From taster apprenticeship to captain in six months
The incredible rise of FCL jewel Jashari
Huge responsibility for the Lucerne high-flyer: Because the joker role is waiting for team leader Christian Gentner (36) in the new season, Ardon Jashari, who is not even 20 years old, will appear as FCL boss.
It is bitterly cold in those January days when the FCL starts preparing for the second half of the season on the artificial turf in Kriens. Mario Frick has just taken over the staggering bottom of the league in Lucerne – and following the worst preliminary round in the club’s history, he somehow has to lead it to stay in the league. These are the uncomfortable conditions in which, despite all the adversities, one runs very hot at the FCL.
In his first sessions, Frick discovers a certain Ardon Jashari, who used to play in the U21s but now stands out in the pros right away. “He’s really good!” he thought, Frick put it on record a little later. So good that the Lucerne coach put the young, central midfielder in the starting XI in the first half of the second half of the season. And never take him out of there once more.
The 19-year-old native will soon become a team support, pulling the strings in the centre, initiating goals – and even scoring himself. As in the first barrage duel with Schaffhausen (2: 2), which (also) paves the way to staying in the league.
“This role will give him an additional push”
Within six months, Jashari catapulted himself from a trial apprentice with the pros to a shooting star. He gets a regular place guarantee from Frick and the prospect of “playing in a top 5 league in a few years if he continues like this”.
And now the FCL coach is going one better! Frick makes Jashari the vice-captain behind ex-Bundesliga star Christian Gentner (36). Since the German – as in the second half of the season – will probably be on the bench more often, the not quite 20-year-old Jashari (birthday on July 30) is de facto the FCL captain on the pitch.
Frick says: “You can no longer prevent Ardon’s career.” He is happy to know the youngster in Lucerne following his contract extension until 2026 “hopefully for another year”. He is not worried that Jashari might take off in the new limelight: “He has too good an environment for that.” Teammates Gentner and Denis Simani would also take good care of the youngster.
With immediate effect, Jashari takes over the role that Marco Burch held in the spring. The 21-year-old central defender was also given the bandage to “strengthen his personality”, as Frick says: “However, with Burch I sometimes had the feeling that the office was a burden for him.”
He’s not afraid of Jashari: “I think this role will give him an extra boost.” A first time on Saturday (6 p.m.) at FCZ?
“A month and a half ago we were still full of pants”
The messed up last season – with the rescue only in the barrage – left its mark on FC Luzern. The club bosses are wary of pronouncing a specific goal for the new Super League season. “We will certainly not give out a place in the table!” says sports director Remo Meyer.
The total crash in last year’s preliminary round from the celebrated cup winner to the desolate bottom of the league made the Lucerne team more cautious. Mario Frick, who has only been on board since last winter, explains: “It would be a big mistake if we said now that we want to play for the top four. A month and a half ago it was still regarding existence, when we still had our pants full.”
But following winning the barrage once morest Schaffhausen, the FCL still wants to look ahead once more. Meyer emphasizes: “We definitely have ambitions!” At least as far as the cup is concerned, there is a clear announcement from the Central Swiss. Meyer explains: “The only thing that counts is the title!” (mpe)
The messed up last season – with the rescue only in the barrage – left its mark on FC Luzern. The club bosses are wary of pronouncing a specific goal for the new Super League season. “We will certainly not give out a place in the table!” says sports director Remo Meyer.
The total crash in last year’s preliminary round from the celebrated cup winner to the desolate bottom of the league made the Lucerne team more cautious. Mario Frick, who has only been on board since last winter, explains: “It would be a big mistake if we said now that we want to play for the top four. A month and a half ago it was still regarding existence, when we still had our pants full.”
But following winning the barrage once morest Schaffhausen, the FCL still wants to look ahead once more. Meyer emphasizes: “We definitely have ambitions!” At least as far as the cup is concerned, there is a clear announcement from the Central Swiss. Meyer explains: “The only thing that counts is the title!” (mpe)
Credit Suisse Super League
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