Finding Our Way: The First Steps with SC Zollikon B Youth

When I took over the B Youth team at Sportclub Zollikon at the beginning of July, I knew it would be a journey full of challenges, opportunities, and lessons — both for the players and for me as a coach. What I didn’t expect was just how impactful these first weeks would already be.

Building Culture from Day One

From the very start, my focus was on creating a strong culture. A big team means many different perspectives, backgrounds, and expectations. It required clear routines, new rules, and most importantly, helping everyone understand what it takes to reach the next level.

We began with draft days, setting the tone early. I wanted the players to know that every detail matters — and that I would be looking at everything critically, because excellence is built step by step.

Testing Ourselves

Two early test games gave us the chance to measure where we stood. Both ended in wins, which was encouraging, but they also showed us where we had to improve. After a short three-week summer break, we regrouped with energy for the second part of the preseason. Training intensity was high, the spirit was growing, and we were ready to face competitive football.

The Cup Opener: Learning Through Pain

Our first real challenge came in the season’s opening cup game. For 90 minutes, the team delivered a strong, disciplined performance against an older, more experienced opponent. At full time, the score was 2–2. Unfortunately, we fell short in the penalty shootout, losing 6–5. It was heartbreaking and frustrating — but also a reminder that football at this level is decided by the smallest margins.

A Rocky League Start — and a Turning Point

The league opener was a tough one: a 9–2 loss to EIC. A humbling experience. But instead of letting it define us, we treated it as a turning point. Since then, we’ve drawn once and won three of our following games. Each match has shown progress, both individually and as a group. The players are beginning to understand what it means to compete consistently, and to live the standards required to grow.

Step by Step, Building the Journey

What excites me most is not just the results but the process. I see a team developing new dynamics, gaining confidence, and embracing a culture of hard work. Every training session matters, every game teaches us something new. We are learning to stay disciplined, train with intensity, and approach every challenge seriously.

For me personally, this role has been transformative. It’s not only about coaching football — it’s about leadership, about bringing in ideas from high-performance environments, and about seeing the bigger picture of player development. I’ve been pushed to think in more detail, to adapt my coaching methods, and to take on different roles for each individual player.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The first months have been a whirlwind of emotions — from disappointment to pride, from setbacks to small but meaningful victories. What matters is that we are moving forward. Step by step, one lesson at a time, this team is building something special.

I am confident that with our quality, commitment, and collective mindset, we can achieve great things this season. The journey is only beginning, but already it feels like we are on the right path.