The CEO is banished before the championship celebration

When YB became champions last Sunday, the Bernese newspapers were there. On Monday they published the long-prepared “Champions’ Paper”. The club was celebrated on 24 pages. Sponsors included. YB, the sales hit. The product was exposed to little risk, the title was too obvious. But what would have happened if the editors had interviewed YB CEO Wanja Greuel?

The supplement probably had to be scrapped because Greuel had terminated his employment at the beginning of May. At a questionable time, just before crucial games. If he had waited until the end of the season, his departure would have caused less of a stir. When the termination was published in the “NZZ am Sonntag” on May 12, it was no longer possible to conceal the fact that something long-standing had come to an abrupt end. And above all: that something had shattered.

YB accuses Greuel of selfishness

And things are getting even worse because the YB management is accusing the departing CEO of putting his ego above the well-being of the club. Greuel has not said anything about the strange timing of his resignation. But something has become too much. First for Greuel, then for the club, which is losing communication. YB is not commenting on the circumstances of the separation, but confirms internally that it will have an immediate effect.

On Saturday, YB celebrates in a match against Winterthur. A full stadium, the trophy is presented, more cheering and Queen sings “We are the Champions”. On Sunday, the championship celebration follows on Bundesplatz. With thousands in the colors yellow and black, but without Greuel, who has become persona non grata in the YB building. He is no longer wanted, neither in the office nor in the stadium or at the party. The next YB episode, riddled with injuries.

Wanja Greuel, who comes from Kaiserslautern, was promoted to YB CEO in autumn 2016. At the time, the club was in turmoil. The Rihs family’s financiers spoke of the “over 50 Chischte” that YB had cost them. That’s what they called the millions of Swiss francs. At a moment of disorientation, the club brought in Christoph Spycher from Bern as its sporting director.

Greuel stays – and Spycher climbs the stairs

The former Bundesliga player did not take over lightly; the authority structure within the club was too confusing. Spycher received a lot from the struggling club, insisted on order in communication, kept the line to the sponsors on the line and stipulated that as head of sport he would not report to the CEO.

Less than two years later, YB became champions, repeated the feat six times by 2024, played in the Champions League three times, transferred players and coaches Adi Hütter and Gerardo Seoane abroad, made a killing with the UEFA and transfer millions, increased the average number of spectators and became the number 1 in Swiss club football.

The sports department, headed by Spycher, lets the YB coffers overflow, much to the relief of the Rihs family, while the commercial side, headed by Greuel, makes full use of the sporting success. The two departments function well over the years, even though it is known that Spycher and Greuel would not go on holiday together.

In a 2022 interview with “Bund”, Greuel said that one of the strengths of the YB model was “the separation of sport and commerce”. They exchange information, but as CEO he does not have to deal with the sporting situation, “that is done by our sports director, who I consider to be the best in Switzerland”. While Greuel remains CEO, Spycher is moving up the ranks. In mid-2022 he will become a delegate of the board of directors with extensive powers, and in February 2024 the Rihs family will finally make him a co-owner.

The YB boss is “hit”

The former national player Spycher is the face of YB, and he combines a lot in his personality. He brought success with his prudent, straightforward and clever manner. He is also known outside of Bern, but the chairman of the board, Hanspeter Kienberger, is less well known. Everything goes through Spycher. It is likely that Greuel, who is also less well known, felt ignored, although in Spycher’s wake he quickly mutated into a master CEO and, like many others, was given a platform.

In the “Sonntags-Zeitung” newspaper, Spycher said that he was “struck” by the portrayal of a power struggle between him and Greuel. Spycher spoke of “signs of wear and tear” and of “different opinions in management.”

Whatever that means in an organization that ties success to success. A change of direction? Unthinkable. It is said, for example, that the salesman Greuel wanted to promote transfers more aggressively on internal channels. But that cannot be a reason for a divorce. Greuel is giving up a considerable salary and a dream job. The barrel of intolerance filled up over the years – and overflowed.

There is a human element at YB anyway. Three discordant separations left their mark in 2024: They affected top scorer Jean-Pierre Nsame, the sacked coach Raphael Wicky and Greuel. That is a lot for half a year. Despite the championship honors that speak for the YB leadership. Spycher, who enjoys the reputation of being untouchable in Bern and is exposed to neither criticism nor opposition, also knows that this is too much.

With him, YB has gone from being a problem to being a model club. Spycher rejects the personality cult. But YB’s successes and his internal rise have put him on a pedestal – whether he wants the personification or not. Spycher does not want to comment to the NZZ at the moment. As does Kienberger, who is Spycher’s superior according to the organizational chart.

The YB staff reported a strange atmosphere at an internal orientation after the break with Greuel, where the management asked the staff to give a standing ovation for Spycher. Not everyone complied.

The exiled CEO maintained important contacts

Greuel no longer receives good marks at YB, but he does receive good marks in Swiss football. Someone who has dealt with him has a string of sanctifying words. A former official adds: “Greuel knows a lot about business, but little about football. He is opportunistic, not always tangible. If he says yes, it is not clear whether it will stay that way – or even become a no.”

Greuel has been on the Swiss Football League committee since 2017 and is one of the few old hands there. Tempi passati. He has been on the board of the European Club Association (ECA) since 2019. The organization, which unites over 600 clubs, met in Madrid at the end of April. In a group photo in the Atlético Madrid stadium, the powerful ECA and Paris Saint-Germain boss Nasser al-Khelaifi and Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil can be seen in the middle. Immediately behind him is Greuel. Not at the front, but central.

At least in the name of YB, such rendezvous are over.