Magnin’s dismissal came one day after Basel secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over rival Zurich, a result that was sealed by Xherdan Shaqiri, who completed a stoppage-time hat trick. Despite the emotional win, Basel’s earlier defeat in Europe proved too costly.
A 3-1 loss to Salzburg last Thursday in the Europa League appeared to seal Magnin’s fate. The result intensified scrutiny over Basel’s European campaign and raised questions about the team’s ability to respond under pressure.
In an official statement, Basel cited a stagnation in performance and said the expected turnaround after the winter break never materialized. The club did not name an interim coach to lead the team going forward.
League Struggles Despite Title Status
Basel currently sits fourth in the Swiss Super League, trailing 10 points behind surprise leaders Thun, a stark contrast to their championship status.
Europa League Hopes Hang by a Thread
Basel faces unbeaten Viktoria Plzeň at home on Thursday in the final Europa League group-stage match. The club is currently 27th in the 36-team standings, meaning it must win and rely on other results to secure a spot in the knockout playoffs, with the draw scheduled for Friday.