Thun are 15 points clear at the top of the Swiss Super League with seven games remaining

FC Thun close in on stunning first Swiss title

FC Thun are writing one of football’s wildest stories

A decade after Leicester City shocked England, FC Thun are threatening to produce Switzerland’s version of the impossible. Newly promoted last season, Thun now sit 15 points clear at the top of the Swiss Super League with seven games left, putting the club on the brink of a first top-flight title in its 128-year history.

For a club from a lakeside town of about 45,000 people, with no major trophy and far smaller resources than traditional Swiss powers such as Basel and Young Boys, that lead is extraordinary. Thun’s squad value is reported at about £13.8m, compared with roughly £61m for Young Boys and £51.5m for Basel.

Why people are calling them the “Swiss Leicester”

Kastriot Imeri had a "superstar image" but has thrived as a team player since joining Thun on loan from Young Boys, says team-mate Marco Burki — Kastriot Imeri had a “superstar image” but has thrived as a team player since joining Thun on loan from Young Boys, says team-mate Marco Burki

The comparison is easy to understand. Thun were only promoted back to the top flight after winning the 2024-25 Challenge League, and now they are on course to follow that with the Super League title in consecutive seasons. That would make them the first club since Grasshopper Zurich in 1952 to win Switzerland’s second tier and then the top division back-to-back.

Their rise is even more striking because the club was fighting for survival not long ago. Thun were relegated in 2020 and were repeatedly kept afloat by outside investment, most recently in early 2024.

What has made Thun so good?

Lustrinelli managed Switzerland Under-21s team before taking permanent charge of Thun in 2022

Head coach Mauro Lustrinelli has built a team that is both aggressive and efficient. Thun are the league’s top scorers and have also conceded the fewest goals, while their run earlier this year included a Super League record of 10 straight wins.

They are not dominating through sterile possession. Thun average only about 46.5% possession, yet they rank first for touches in the opposition box, showing how direct and vertical their football is.

Lustrinelli’s philosophy is simple: attack quickly, press high, and avoid overcomplicating the game. That has turned a promoted side into the most effective team in the country.

The players driving the title charge

Thun’s success has not been built on a summer spending spree. Much of the squad stayed together after promotion, and several players have stepped up dramatically in the top flight. Striker Elmin Rastoder has reached double figures, while Christopher Ibayi and academy product Franz-Ethan Meichtry have also made major contributions. Experienced leaders such as Leonardo Bertone, Kastriot Imeri, and captain Marco Bürki have given the team balance and edge.

Why this story matters beyond Switzerland

Thun play their home games at the scenic 10,000-capacity Stockhorn Arena

Thun’s run is a reminder that football can still produce genuine underdog stories in an era dominated by money and scale. Their president, Andres Gerber, and coach, Lustrinelli, are both deeply tied to the club’s identity, including its memorable 2005 Champions League adventure. This title push is not just about tactics or form; it is about continuity, belief, and a club outperforming its size in spectacular fashion.

If Thun finish the job, it will deserve a place alongside Europe’s great surprise champions.