View source for Alexander Frei

{{short description|Swiss footballer (born 1979)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| image          = Alex Frei.jpg
| caption        = Frei with [[Borussia Dortmund]] in 2007
| fullname       = Alexander Frei<ref name="FIFA 2010">{{cite web |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 List of Players |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |website=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110055019/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=10 January 2019 |page=30}}</ref>
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1979|7|15|df=y}}<ref name="FIFA 2010"/>
| birth_place    = [[Basel]], Switzerland
| height         = 1.79 m<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dev.fcb.ch/sport/show/playerDetailByID/-/29437/72/9/36/de-de/-/25328 |title=Alex Frei |language=de |publisher=FC Basel |access-date=26 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217154154/http://dev.fcb.ch/sport/show/playerDetailByID/-/29437/72/9/36/de-de/-/25328 |archive-date=17 February 2013 }}</ref>
| youthyears1    = 1987–1988 | youthclubs1 = FC Begnins
| youthyears2    = 1988–1995 | youthclubs2 = FC Aesch
| youthyears3    = 1995–1997 | youthclubs3 = [[FC Basel|Basel]]
| clubnumber     = 
| currentclub = 
| position       = Striker 
| years1         = 1997–1998 
| clubs1         = [[FC Basel|Basel]] 
| caps1          = 11 
| goals1         = 1
| years2         = 1998–1999 
| clubs2         = [[FC Thun|Thun]] 
| caps2          = 32 
| goals2         = 6
| years3         = 1999–2000 
| clubs3         = [[FC Luzern]]  
| caps3          = 53  
| goals3         = 17
| years4         = 2001–2003 
| clubs4         = [[Servette FC|Servette]]  
| caps4          = 64 
| goals4         = 36
| years5         = 2003–2006 
| clubs5         = [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Rennes]] 
| caps5          = 100 
| goals5         = 47
| years6         = 2006–2009 
| clubs6         = [[Borussia Dortmund]] 
| caps6          = 74   
| goals6         = 34
| years7         = 2009–2013
| clubs7         = [[FC Basel|Basel]] 
| caps7          = 103
| goals7         = 72
| totalcaps      = 437 |  totalgoals = 213
| nationalyears1 = 1995–1996
| nationalteam1  = Switzerland U-18
| nationalcaps1  = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1996–1997
| nationalteam2  = [[Switzerland national under-19 football team|Switzerland U-19]]
| nationalcaps2  = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 1999–2000
| nationalteam3  = [[Switzerland national under-21 football team|Switzerland U-21]]
| nationalcaps3  = 19
| nationalgoals3 = 9
| nationalyears4 = 2001–2011
| nationalteam4  = [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]]
| nationalcaps4  = 84
| nationalgoals4 = 42
| manageryears1 = 2013–2014
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Luzern]] (sporting director)
| manageryears2 = 2015–2020
| managerclubs2 = [[FC Basel|Basel]] (youth)
| manageryears3 = 2018
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Basel|Basel]] (interim)
| manageryears4 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs4 = [[FC Wil 1900|Wil]]
| manageryears5 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs5 = [[FC Winterthur|Winterthur]]
| managerclubs6 = [[FC Basel|Basel]] 
| manageryears6 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs7 = [[FC Aarau|Aarau]] 
| manageryears7 = 2023–2024
}}
'''Alexander Frei''' or '''Alex Frei''' (born 15 July 1979) is a Swiss professional [[Association football|football]] coach and a former player who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. He was most recently head coach of [[FC Aarau]] in the [[Swiss Challenge League]], the second tier of Swiss football.

Frei began his career at [[FC Basel|Basel]], going on to various other clubs in Switzerland, France and Germany before returning to his home club, where he won the [[Swiss Super League]] title in all four of his seasons, including [[Double (association football)|doubles]] with the [[Swiss Cup]] in 2010 and 2012.

Frei is the all-time leading scorer of the [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland national team]] with 42 goals in 84 games. He represented the country at two [[UEFA European Championship]]s and as many [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]s.

== Club career ==
Frei started his professional career with his hometown club of [[FC Basel]], where he later was transferred to [[FC Thun]], [[FC Luzern]], and [[Servette FC]], all in his native Switzerland. After a transfer to French club [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Rennes]], he finished as the highest goal-scorer in [[Ligue 1]] for the [[2004–05 Ligue 1|2004–05 season]] with 20 goals. He was named Swiss Footballer of the Year the same season. He was also named Swiss Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2007.

Frei then signed a four-year contract with [[Borussia Dortmund]] on 29 June 2006. Dortmund paid a transfer fee of approximately €5 million for him. In the 2006–07 season, Frei was the highest goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund with 16 goals in 32 matches.

He recovered from a long-term injury in the 2007–08 season to score six times in his last eight appearances for Borussia Dortmund. After speculation regarding his future, he came back to action against [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke 04]] in the fourth fixture of the [[2008–09 Bundesliga|Bundesliga]]. He scored two goals, equalising in an incredible game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252664&cc=3888&league=GER.1 |title=Borussia Dortmund 3–3 Schalke 04 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=15 July 2010 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629045235/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252664&cc=3888&league=GER.1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 17 July 2009, he left Borussia Dortmund after 74 league matches<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/chfreidata.html | title = Alexander Frei - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 5 December 2019 | access-date = 6 December 2019 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> and, after six years, returned to Switzerland to sign with FC Basel.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 July 2009 |title=Alex Frei verlässt Dortmund |trans-title=Alex Frei leaves Dortmund. |url=http://derstandard.at/1246542468576/Alex-Frei-verlaesst-Dortmund |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=Derstandard.at |language=de}}</ref> He made his debut in a 2–1 win over [[FC Sion]] on 26 July 2009. He made an assist and also scored the last minute winner in the match at the [[Stade Tourbillon]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Weber |first=Dominik |date=26 July 2009 |title=Alex Frei schiesst FCB in letzter Minute zum Sieg in Sion! |trans-title=Alex Frei shoots FCB to victory in Sion in the last minute! |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID//10044/22636/16/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622190140/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/10044/22370/16/7 |archive-date=22 June 2009 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893}}</ref> During the [[2009–10 Swiss Super League|2009–10 season]] he scored 15 goals in 19 league games and FC Basel won the [[Double (association football)|Double]]. During the [[2010–11 Swiss Super League|2010–11 season]] he scored 27 goals in 35 league games,  becoming the [[2010–11 Swiss Super League#Top goalscorers|Swiss League Top goalscorer]].

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Frei won his second Double with Basel, the [[2011–12 Swiss Super League|League]] Championship title<ref name="sfv 1">{{cite web |date=29 April 2012 |title=Der 15. Meistertitel für den FCB – die Bilanz einer grandiosen Saison |trans-title=The 15th championship title for FCB – the总结 of a magnificent season. |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/27863/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016142727/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/27863/26/7/7 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=fcb.ch |language=de}}</ref> and the [[2011–12 Swiss Cup|Swiss Cup]].<ref name="sfv 2">{{cite web |year=2012 |title=Matchtelegram FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern |trans-title=Match report FC Basel 1893 5:3 FC Luzern |url=http://www.football.ch/sfv/chcup/de/telegramm.aspx?tg=1973921 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121204154542/http://www.football.ch/sfv/chcup/de/telegramm.aspx?tg=1973921 |archive-date=4 December 2012 |access-date=16 May 2012 |publisher=football.ch |language=de}}</ref>

In the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League]], Basel advanced as far as the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], there being matched against the reigning [[UEFA Champions League]] holders [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], but were knocked out being beaten 2–5 on aggregate.<ref name="uefa 2013-05-03">{{cite web | last = Haylett | first = Trevor | date = 3 May 2013 | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0ea90a67d417-9708b706b81d-1000--basel-take-heart-after-chelsea-defeat/ | title = Basel take heart after Chelsea defeat | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 21 October 2013}}</ref> Frei's last game in this competition was as Basel qualified for the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]] in the home game against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], whom they beat 4–1 on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] after a 4–4 aggregate draw to progress. Frei played his last professional match on 14 April 2013 in the home game at [[St. Jakob-Park]] as Basel beat [[FC Zürich|Zürich]] 3–1. He led the team as captain for this game. He also scored his last goal, a free kick from about 25 meters in the 55th minute. He was substituted some ten minutes later to a standing ovation.<ref name="fcb 2013-04-14">{{cite web |last=Marti |first=Caspar |date=14 April 2013 |title=Der FCB schlägt den FCZ bei der Verabschiedung von Alex Frei mit 3:1 |trans-title=FCB beats FCZ 3-1 at Alex Frei's farewell. |url=http://fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30174/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225643/http://fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30174/26/7/7 |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893 |language=de}}</ref><ref name="fcb 2013-04-14a">{{cite web | last = Meister | first = Remo | date = 14 April 2013 | url = http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30175/26/7/7 | title = Das isch emol e Abschied | publisher = FC Basel 1893 | access-date = 15 June 2013 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021225538/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/30175/26/7/7 | archive-date = 21 October 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> At the end of the [[2012–13 Swiss Super League|Swiss Super League season 2012–13]], Frei was awarded his fourth championship medal<ref name="uefa 2013-06-10">{{cite web | last = Schifferle | first = Michael | date = 10 June 2013 | url = http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1959420.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165758/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1959420.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2013 | title = Season review: Switzerland | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 21 October 2013}}</ref> and was awarded a [[2012–13 Swiss Cup|Swiss Cup silver]] medal.<ref name="sfv2013-05-20">{{cite web | date = 20 May 2013 | url = http://www.football.ch/de/SFV/Schweizer-Cup/Schweizer-Cup-Maenner/Statistik-und-Resultate-Schweizer-Cup/Telegramm-Schweizer-Cup.aspx/tg-2132469/ | title = Telegramm Schweizer Cup Final | publisher = Schweizerischer Fussballverband | access-date = 21 October 2013 | language = de}}</ref>

Between the years from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2009 to 2013 Frei played a total of 217 games for Basel scoring a total of 148 goals. 114 of these games were in the [[Swiss Super League]], 15 in the [[Swiss Cup]], 38 in the European competitions ([[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]]) and 50 were friendly games. He scored 74 goals in the domestic league, 13 in the cup, 22 in the European matches and the other 39 were scored during the test games. With the club he won four league championships and two cup titles.<ref name="fcb-achiv-Alex Frei">{{cite web | first = | last = Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” | authorlink = | year = 2013 | url = https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/spieler?command=detail&id=985 | title = Alex Frei - FCB Statistic | format = | work = | publisher = Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” | accessdate = 2020-11-16}}</ref>

== International career ==
[[File:Alex frei061115-02.jpg|thumb|Frei battling for the ball with [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]'s [[Luisão]] in a November 2006 friendly]]

Frei represented [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] at Under-18s, [[Switzerland national under-19 football team|Under-19s]] and [[Switzerland national under-21 football team|Under-21s]] levels. He played his Swiss U-18s debut on 25 October 1995 in the 5-1 away defeat against the [[France national under-18 football team|French Under-18s]]. His Under-21 debut was on 3 September 1999 in the 3-1 away win against [[Denmark national under-21 football team|Denmark]].

Frei played his debut as [[Switzerland national football team|full international]] on 24 March 2001,<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/frei-intlg.html | title = Alexander Frei – Goals in International Matches | first = Roberto | last = Mamrud | date = 5 December 2019 | access-date = 6 December 2019 | publisher = [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF.com]]}}</ref> being substituted in, during the 1–1 away draw against the [[Republic of Yugoslavia]] during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|World Cup qualification Group 1 match]].<ref name="fifa1">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=4395/preliminaries/preliminary=3835/matches/match=19574/report.html |title=Yugoslavia – Switzerland / Match report |publisher=FIFA.com |date=24 March 2001 |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517085523/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D4395/preliminaries/preliminary%3D3835/matches/match%3D19574/report.html |archive-date=17 May 2013}}</ref> In the following match, four days later, Frei scored his first three goals for the national team in the 5–0 home win against [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]].<ref name="fifa2">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=4395/preliminaries/preliminary=3835/matches/match=19576/report.html |title=Switzerland – Luxembourg / Match report |publisher=FIFA.com |date=28 March 2001 |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516044232/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D4395/preliminaries/preliminary%3D3835/matches/match%3D19576/report.html |archive-date=16 May 2013}}</ref>

Frei played for [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]]. In a group match against [[England national football team|England]], he was caught on camera appearing to spit at [[Steven Gerrard]]. Although no action was taken at the time, Frei was later charged and given a provisional 15-day suspension by [[UEFA]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Frei given 15-day ban|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/switzerland/3821753.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2004}}</ref>

He scored six times in [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]], including a second-minute penalty in the second leg of the play-off against [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] which his team won on away goals.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey 4–2 Switzerland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4436038.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=16 November 2005}}</ref> At the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|finals]] in Germany, Frei was [[Man of the match]] in the 2–0 group stage win over [[Togo national football team|Togo]] in [[Dortmund]], opening the scoring from [[Tranquillo Barnetta]]'s 17th-minute cross.<ref>{{cite news|title=Togo 0–2 Switzerland|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853244.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2006}}</ref> He concluded a win by the same score against [[Korea Republic national football team|South Korea]] in the next game to send Switzerland through as group winners. This goal was controversial as referee [[Horacio Elizondo]] overruled a judgement of offside by his assistant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Switzerland 2–0 South Korea|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853466.stm|access-date=25 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=23 June 2006}}</ref>

On 30 May 2008, in Switzerland's final preparation match before co-hosting [[UEFA Euro 2008]], Frei scored twice in a 3–0 friendly win over [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]]. This moved him to 35 goals for the Switzerland national team, surpassing the record of [[Kubilay Türkyilmaz]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Switzerland coast home against Liechtenstein|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-coast-home-against-liechtenstein/1018952|access-date=25 May 2015|work=[[Swissinfo]]|date=30 May 2008}}</ref> However, within the first half of the opening match of the tournament, Frei was injured while captaining the Swiss team and missed the rest of the tournament due to a torn knee ligament in his left knee after a challenge from [[Czech Republic|Czech]] defender [[Zdeněk Grygera]]. He decided to remain with the team to show his support. He later underwent surgery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/switzerland/7370946.stm |title=Switzerland 0–1 Czech Republic |work=BBC News |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=15 July 2010}}</ref>

In a Euro 2012 qualifier at home against [[Wales national football team|Wales]], he was booed by his own fans throughout the match, even though Switzerland won the match 4–1. When he was finally substituted the fans in the home sector booed him repeatedly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+4295-Former-Players-Frei-booed-by+.html|title=Former Players: Frei booed by his own fans|date=18 October 2010|publisher=Stade Rennais Online|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> On 5 April 2011, he decided to quit from the national squad after being criticised again following a 0–0 draw with [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] on 26 March for the [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group G|Euro 2012 qualifying match]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/12971409.stm |title=Swiss pair Frei and Strellar [sic] announce retirements |work=BBC News|date=5 April 2011 |access-date=5 April 2011}}</ref>

== Sports director ==
After Frei ended his career, he became new sports director of [[FC Luzern]]. This was announced by both FC Basel<ref name="fcb 2013-03-19">{{cite web |last=FC Basel 1893 |date=19 March 2013 |title=Alex Frei wird ab Mitte April 2013 Sportdirektor beim FC Luzern |trans-title=Alex Frei will become sporting director at FC Luzern starting mid-April 2013. |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/29896/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616012539/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/29896/26/7/7 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Basel 1893 |language=de}}</ref> and Luzern<ref name="fcl 2013-03-19">{{cite web |date=19 March 2013 |title=Alex Frei wechselt am 15. April zum FC Luzern |trans-title=Alex Frei is moving to FC Luzern on April 15th. |url=http://www.fcl.ch/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=78931&action=viewdet&ID=1617 |access-date=15 June 2013 |publisher=FC Luzern |language=de}}</ref> on 19 March 2013.

==Coaching career==
He was interim manager of [[FC Basel]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=fcb.ch |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Assistenztrainer U14 und U16 |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes new U14 and U16 assistant coach. |url=https://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/05/15/Alex-Frei-wird-neuer-Assistenztrainer-U14-und-U16 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180727024550/https://www.fcb.ch/de-CH/News/2015/05/15/Alex-Frei-wird-neuer-Assistenztrainer-U14-und-U16 |archive-date=2018-07-27 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=FC Basel 1893 |language=de-DE}}</ref> In September 2020, he became head coach of [[FC Wil 1900]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wettstein |first=Mischi |date=2020-09-07 |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Trainer beim FC Wil |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes new coach at FC Wil |url=https://www.nau.ch/sport/fussball/alex-frei-wird-neuer-trainer-beim-fc-wil-65776352 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Nau |language=de-CH}}</ref> He stepped down from this position in November 2021 and in December signed on as head coach of [[FC Winterthur]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=FC Wil 1900 und Alex Frei trennen sich |trans-title=FC Wil 1900 and Alex Frei part ways. |url=https://fcwil.ch/2021/11/09/fc-wil-1900-und-alex-frei-trennen-sich/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=FC Wil 1900 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Frei neuer Trainer beim FCW |trans-title=Alex Frei new coach at FCW. |url=https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/alex-frei-neuer-trainer-beim-fcw/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220529120951/https://fcwinterthur.ch/news/alex-frei-neuer-trainer-beim-fcw/ |archive-date=2022-05-29 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=fcwinterthur.ch}}</ref> After successfully leading Winterthur to promotion to the [[2022-23 Swiss Super League|Super League]],  he was signed by his former club [[FC Basel]] to be their new head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcb.ch/aktuell/news/1-mannschaft/alex-frei-neuer-fcb-trainer/|title=Alex Frei ist der neue FCB-Trainer |trans-title=Alex Frei is the new FCB coach|website=FC Basel|language=de|date=23 May 2022|access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> Frei and Basel parted ways on 7 February 2023, with the team sitting in seventh place in the table.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcb.ch/aktuell/news/1-mannschaft/fcb-trennt-sich-von-cheftrainer-alex-frei/|title=DER FCB TRENNT SICH VON CHEFTRAINER ALEX FREI|trans-title=Alex Frei and FCB part ways|website=FC Basel|language=de|date=7 February 2023|access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref> According to FC Basel sporting director [[Heiko Vogel]] the 0–1 loss away to [[Grasshopper Club Zürich]], following five league games without a win, on 4 February 2023, three days before, "was one defeat too many". On 1 February 2023, Basel had defeated Grasshoppers 5–3 in Zurich in their round of 16 match of the [[2022–23 Swiss Cup]]. On 12 June 2023, he was announced as the new head coach of [[FC Aarau]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dellas |first=Traianos |date=2023-02-04 |title=DF999 |url=https://df999-elite.online |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=df999-elite.online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 2023 |title=Alex Frei wird neuer Cheftrainer des FC Aarau |trans-title=Alex Frei becomes the new head coach of FC Aarau. |url=https://fcaarau.ch/news/alex-frei-wird-neuer-cheftrainer-des-fc-aarau/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |website=fcaarau.ch |publisher=[[FC Aarau]] |language=de}}</ref> thus returning to the [[Swiss Challenge League]]. On 25 March 2024, he departed his position by mutual consent with the club to take a step back from coaching.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2024 |title=Alex Frei löst Vertrag auf und nimmt eine Auszeit |trans-title=Alex Frei terminates contract and takes a break. |url=https://fcaarau.ch/news/alex-frei-loest-vertrag-auf-und-nimmt-eine-auszeit/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=fcaarau.ch |publisher=[[FC Aarau]] |language=de-ch}}</ref> At the time of his departure, Aarau were in 3rd place, however with a significant gap to a promotion spot. In his last game, his team managed a late 2–0 win against cantonal rivals [[FC Baden]].
== Personal life ==
Alexander is of no relation to club and country team mate [[Fabian Frei]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://socqer.com/questions/1124/fabian-frei-alexander-frei-both-scored-for-basle-tonight-but-are-unrelated-are-any-players-in-this-seasons-champions-league-that-are-related/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930001525/http://socqer.com/questions/1124/fabian-frei-alexander-frei-both-scored-for-basle-tonight-but-are-unrelated-are-any-players-in-this-seasons-champions-league-that-are-related | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 September 2011 | title = Fabian Frei & Alexander Frei both scored for Basel tonight but are unrelated – are any players in this season's Champions League that are related? | publisher = socqer.com | date = 14 September 2011 | access-date = 15 June 2013}}</ref> However, he is the second-cousin of [[Seattle Sounders FC]] goalkeeper and former Swiss youth international [[Stefan Frei]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/swiss-striker-frei-has-a-nose-for-goal-1.842095 | work=CBC News | title=Swiss striker Frei has a nose for goal | date=13 May 2010 | access-date = 29 April 2012}}</ref> His younger sister Andrea plays football for the Basel ladies team. He is married to Nina and they have a daughter born in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 June 2012 |title=Glückwünsche für Nina und Alex Frei: Töchterchen Lia ist da! |trans-title=Congratulations to Nina and Alex Frei: Daughter Lia is here! |url=http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/28123/26/7/7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115163615/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/10044/28123/26/7/7 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |access-date=2 November 2012 |publisher=FC Basel |language=de}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
=== International ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="NFT">{{NFT player|6416}}</ref><ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web |title=Alexander Frei - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/frei-intlg.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="11"|[[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]]
|2001||8||5
|-
|2002||6||2
|-
|2003||8||7
|-
|2004||9||2
|-
|2005||11||7
|-
|2006||11||8
|-
|2007||3||1
|-
|2008||8||5
|-
|2009||9||3
|-
|2010||9||2
|-
|2011||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!84!!42
|}

:''Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Frei goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Alexander Frei<ref name="NFT"/><ref name="RSSSF"/>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1
| rowspan="3"|28 March 2001 || rowspan="3"|[[Hardturm]], [[Zürich]], Switzerland || rowspan="3"|{{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|5–0 || rowspan="3"|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|2002 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|3 || align="center"|5–0
|-
| align="center"|4 || 2 June 2001 || [[Svangaskarð]], [[Toftir]], Faroe || {{fb|FRO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2002 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|5 || 5 September 2001 || [[Stade Josy Barthel]], [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], Luxembourg || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 2002 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|6 || 21 August 2002 || [[St. Jakob-Park]], [[Basel]], Switzerland || {{fb|AUT}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|3–2 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|7 || 8 September 2002 || St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland || {{fb|GEO|1990}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10|Euro 2004 qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|8
| rowspan="2"|12 February 2003 || rowspan="2"|[[Nova Gorica Sports Park|Športni Park]], [[Nova Gorica]], Slovenia || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SLO}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || align="center"|5–0
|-
| align="center"|10 || 30 April 2003 || [[Stade de Genève]], [[Geneva]], Switzerland || {{fb|ITA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|11
| rowspan="2"|7 June 2003 || rowspan="2"|St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland || rowspan="2"|{{fb|RUS}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–2 || rowspan="2"|Euro 2004 qualifier
|-
| align="center"|12 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|13 || 11 June 2003 || Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland || {{fb|ALB}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|3–2 || Euro 2004 qualifier
|-
| align="center"|14 || 11 October 2003 || St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland || {{fb|IRL}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Euro 2004 qualifier
|-
| align="center"|15 || 18 February 2004 || [[Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium|Stade Moulay Abdellah]], [[Rabat]], Morocco || {{fb|MAR}} || align="center"|1–2 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|16 || 9 October 2004 || [[Ramat Gan Stadium]], [[Ramat Gan]], Israel || {{fb|ISR}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–2 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|2006 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|17 || 30 March 2005 || Hardturm, Zürich, Switzerland || {{fb|CYP}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|18
| rowspan="2"|4 June 2005 || rowspan="2"|Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe || rowspan="2"|{{fb|FRO}} || align="center"|2–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–1 || rowspan="2"|2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|19 || align="center"|3–1
|-
| align="center"|20 || 17 August 2005 || [[Ullevaal Stadion]], [[Oslo]], Norway || {{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|21 || 3 September 2005 || St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland || {{fb|ISR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|22 || 7 September 2005 || [[GSP Stadium]], [[Nicosia]], Cyprus || {{fb|CYP}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|23 || 16 November 2005 || [[Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium]], [[Istanbul]], Turkey || {{fb|TUR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–4 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA play-off)#Second leg|2006 World Cup play-offs]]
|-
| align="center"|24
| rowspan="2"|3 June 2006 || rowspan="2"|Hardturm, Zürich, Switzerland || rowspan="2"|{{fb|CHN}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|25 || align="center"|3–0
|-
| align="center"|26 || 19 June 2006 || [[Westfalenstadion|FIFA WM Stadion Dortmund]], [[Dortmund]], Germany || {{fb|TGO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup Group G#Togo vs Switzerland|2006 World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|27 || 23 June 2006 || [[AWD-Arena|FIFA WM Stadion Hannover]], [[Hanover]], Germany || {{fb|KOR}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup Group G#Switzerland vs Korea Republic|2006 World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|28
| rowspan="2"|16 August 2006 || rowspan="2"|[[Rheinpark Stadion]], [[Vaduz]], Liechtenstein || rowspan="2"|{{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|29 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|30 || 2 September 2006 || St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland || {{fb|VEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|31 || 6 September 2006 || Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland || {{fb|CRC}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|32 || 25 March 2007 || [[Miami Orange Bowl]], [[Miami]], United States || {{fb|COL}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–3 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|33 || 24 May 2008 || [[Cornaredo Stadium]], [[Lugano]], Switzerland || {{fb|SVK}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|34
| rowspan="2"|30 May 2008 || rowspan="2"|[[AFG Arena]], [[St. Gallen]], Switzerland || rowspan="2"|{{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|35 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|36 || 11 October 2008 || AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland || {{fb|LAT}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|2010 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|37 || 15 October 2008 || [[Karaiskakis Stadium]], [[Piraeus]], Greece || {{fb|GRE}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|38 || 28 March 2009 || [[Zimbru Stadium]], [[Chişinău]], Moldova || {{fb|MDA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|39 || 1 April 2009 || Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland || {{fb|MDA}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|40 || 9 September 2009 || [[Skonto Stadium]], [[Riga]], Latvia || {{fb|LAT}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|41
| rowspan="2"|17 November 2010 || rowspan="2"|Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland || rowspan="2"|{{fb|UKR}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|42 || align="center"|2–1
|}

===Managerial===
{{updated|16 March 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"		
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure		
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Nat.|Nationality}}
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="8"|Record
|-
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}	
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Wil]]
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
|align="left"|7 September 2020
|align="left"|9 November 2021
{{WDL|52|16|11|25}}
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Winterthur|Winterthur]]
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
|align="left"|20 December 2021
|align="left"|30 June 2022
{{WDL|18|10|6|2}}
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Basel|Basel]]
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
|align="left"|1 July 2022
|align="left"|7 February 2023
{{WDL|34|14|10|10}}
|-
|align="left"|[[FC Aarau|Aarau]]
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}}
|align="left"|12 June 2023
|align="left"|16 March 2024
{{WDL|28|11|7|10}}
|-
!colspan=4|Total
{{WDLtot|132|51|34|47|decimals=2}}
|}

== Honours ==
'''Servette'''
* [[Swiss Cup]]: [[2000–01 Swiss Cup|2000–01]]

'''Basel'''
* [[Swiss Super League]]: [[2009–10 Swiss Super League|2009–10]], [[2010–11 Swiss Super League|2010–11]], [[2011–12 Swiss Super League|2011–12]], [[2012–13 Swiss Super League|2012–13]]
* Swiss Cup: [[2009–10 Swiss Cup|2009–10]], [[2011–12 Swiss Cup|2011–12]]

'''Individual'''
* Credit Suisse Player of the Year: 2003
* [[Top goalscorers in Ligue 1|Ligue 1 Golden Boot]]: [[2004–05 Ligue 1|2004–05]] (20 goals)
* [[Swiss Footballer of the Year|Credit Suisse Player of the Year]]: 2004, 2005, 2007<ref name="Swiss POY" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-skipper-frei-nets-football-award/60010|title=Swiss skipper Frei nets football award|publisher=Swiss Info|date=30 May 2007|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref>
* Swiss Super League Golden Boot: [[2010–11 Swiss Super League#Top goalscorers|2010–11]] (27 goals), [[2011–12 Swiss Super League#Top goalscorers|2011–12]] (24 goals)
* [[Swiss Footballer of the Year|Axpo Super League Player of the Year]]: 2011, 2012<ref name="Swiss POY">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/footballer_of_the_year/schweiz/|title=Player of the year » Switzerland|publisher=World Football|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>
* Swiss Golden Player Award: ''"Best Forward"'':  2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2010-11 |title=2010/11 / Letzte Jahre Home - Swiss Golden Player Award |language=de |publisher=goldenplayer.ch |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503012756/http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2010-11 |archive-date=3 May 2013}}</ref> 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Awards/Prix-du-Public/Football/BEST-FORWARD-2012 |title=Best Forward 2012 |language=de |publisher=goldenplayer.ch |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503202157/http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Awards/Prix-du-Public/Football/BEST-FORWARD-2012 |archive-date=3 May 2013}}</ref>
*[[Swiss Super League]] Team of the Year: [[2014–15 Swiss Super League#Annual awards|2014–15]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
* {{Worldfootball.net|alexander-frei}}
* {{Fussballdaten|alexander-frei}}
* {{SFL|team=52457|player=262181}}
* {{Soccerway|alexander-frei/223}}
* {{Official website|http://www.alexfrei.ch}} {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Alexander-Frei.html Alexander Frei's profile, stats & pics] {{in lang|fr}}
 
{{Navboxes
|title=Alex Frei managerial positions
|list1=
{{FC Basel managers}}
{{FC Aarau managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes colour
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{2004–05 Ligue 1 UNFP Team of the Year}}
{{Ligue 1 top scorers}}
{{Swiss Super League top scorers}}
{{ASF-SFV football awards}}{{Authority control}}}}
{{Navboxes colour
|title = Switzerland squads
| bg = #d81e05
| fg = white
|list1 =
{{Switzerland squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
{{Switzerland squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Switzerland squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{Switzerland squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frei, Alexander}}
[[Category:Swiss men's footballers]]
[[Category:Switzerland men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Switzerland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Switzerland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Servette FC players]]
[[Category:FC Basel players]]
[[Category:FC Thun players]]
[[Category:Stade Rennais FC players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Borussia Dortmund players]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Footballers from Basel-Stadt]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players]]
[[Category:Swiss Super League players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:FC Luzern players]]
[[Category:Swiss-German people]]
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Swiss expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Swiss football managers]]
[[Category:FC Basel managers]]
[[Category:FC Wil managers]]
[[Category:Swiss Super League managers]]
[[Category:Swiss Challenge League managers]]
[[Category:FC Aarau managers]]