Mario Frick (footballer)

Mario Frick (born 7 September 1974) is a Swiss-born Liechtensteiner retired professional footballer who is currently a manager for FC Vaduz. He has earned 125 caps and scored a national record 16 goals for his country from his international debut in 1993 until his retirement in 2015. Mainly a striker, Frick was also deployed as a centre-back on occasion.

Mario Frick
Frick captaining Liechtenstein in 2015
Personal information
Full name Mario Frick
Date of birth (1974-09-07) 7 September 1974
Place of birth Chur, Switzerland[1]
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)
Youth career
1982–1990 Balzers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1994 Balzers 97 (49)
1994–1996 St. Gallen 60 (11)
1996–1999 Basel 80 (30)
1999–2000 Zürich 41 (7)
2000–2001 Arezzo 23 (18)
2001–2002 Verona 24 (7)
2002–2006 Ternana 133 (44)
2006–2009 Siena 88 (13)
2009–2011 St. Gallen 41 (5)
2011 Grasshopper 8 (1)
2011–2016 Balzers 69 (7)
Total 664 (190)
National team
1993–2015 Liechtenstein 125 (16)
Teams managed
2012–2017 FC Balzers
2017–2018 FC Vaduz U18
2017–2018 Liechtenstein U18
2017–2018 Liechtenstein U19
2018– FC Vaduz
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Early career

Born in Chur, Graubünden, Switzerland, Frick started his career with the youth team at Liechtensteiner club FC Balzers, in which he then played four seasons in the first team within the early 1990s.[1]

In 1994, Frick played abroad for the first time, signing with FC St. Gallen.[1] In doing so, Frick became the first ever professional footballer in Liechtenstein history. After further spells in the Swiss Super League with FC Basel and FC Zürich,where he built a successful strike partnership with South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett,[2] Frick began catching the eyes of scouts from some of the best leagues in the world, including the Serie A in neighboring Italy.[1]

Italy

A.C. Arezzo signed him ahead of the 2000–01 Serie C season. In doing so, Frick earned the distinction of being the first ever Liechtensteiner to play professionally in Italy. Frick scored two goals on his debut for Arezzo against Lucchese, a match that finished in a 2–1 win.[3] With Arezzo, he scored an impressive 18 goals in 23 matches and became the highest scoring foreigner in the division at the time.[1][4][3] Frick's good form helped Arezzo reach the Serie B promotion play-offs but they lost to Livorno 5–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.[5]

After his debut season with Arezzo, Frick signed a contract with Serie A club Hellas Verona.[6] His first Serie A goal for Hellas came in a 2–2 draw against Parma on 28 October 2001.[7][8]

It was under the management of Italian manager Alberto Malesani, who employed a 3–4–3 attacking formation, with Frick being one of the three forwards in the manager's tactics. He would play alongside other promising youth including Alberto Gilardino, Adrian Mutu, Mauro Camoranesi, Sebastien Frey, Martin Laursen, Massimo Oddo, and Marco Cassetti; all of whom would both go on to have successful careers.[9][10]

However, after the club failed to keep their top-flight status after a three-year stay in the Serie A, as they were relegated at the end of the 2001–02 season, Frick signed with fellow Serie B side Ternana on 25 August 2002.[11][12][4] Upon his move to Ternana, he was described as a player with "pace and predatory instincts [that] make him a danger inside the penalty area and he has proved he can score against tough opponents."[4]

On 8 January 2006, Frick extended his contract with Ternana until June 2009.[13] Frick would go on to leave Ternana at the end of the 2005–06 season following their relegation from Serie B. Frick played four seasons with Ternana, amassing a total of 133 league games and scored 44 goals; both were personal records for Frick at a single club.

Frick moved to A.C. Siena in July 2006.[14] He wore the number 7 as one of the club's starting formation, playing in the Serie A once again. In May 2009, he left Siena at the expiry of his contract.

Later career

On 22 June 2009, FC St. Gallen signed the Liechtensteiner forward on a free transfer until June 2010.[15]

Following his spell with St. Gallen, Frick moved onto Grasshoppers in January 2011.[1]

Frick decided to end his professional career and go part-time, returning to his first club FC Balzers in July 2011. Frick retired as a player following the 2015–16 season at the age of 41.[1]

International career

Frick made his Liechtenstein debut in October 1993 in a friendly against Estonia, and established himself almost immediately as a key player for the Liechtenstein national football team.[16] He went on to score his first goal for the national team in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Romania in September 1997.[17]

On 7 June 2020, Frick scored a notable goal away to Germany to level the scores at 2–2; Germany would score 5 goals in the last 10 minutes of the match though to win 8–2.[18]

Frick had a falling out with both the national coach, Ralf Loose, and the Liechtenstein Football Association near the end of the 2002 World Cup qualification stages, and he was left out of the team. This episode is chronicled in Charlie Connelly's book, Stamping Grounds: Liechtenstein's Quest for the World Cup.[19] After changes concerning both the Liechtenstein Football Association and the coach, Frick returned to be part of the squad, which included playing in both games against England.[4]

During a Euro 2008 qualifier against Latvia, Frick netted the only goal of the game which brought Liechtenstein their first win over a side that had qualified for a major tournament.[20]

On 10 August 2011, Frick made a record 100th appearance for Liechtenstein.[17]

Frick announced his retirement from international football in October 2015, at the age of 41, after 125 appearances and 16 goals for the Liechtenstein national side.[16] He made his final international appearance for Liechtenstein in a 3–0 defeat to Austria in a European qualifying match on 12 October 2015.[21]

Frick is the all-time record goal-scorer for Liechtenstein.[17]

International goals
Scores and results list Liechtenstein's goal tally first.[22]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 6 September 1997Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen, Liechtenstein Romania1–71–81998 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
2 14 October 1998Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Azerbaijan1–02–1UEFA Euro 2000 Qualifying
3 7 June 2000Dreisamstadion, Freiburg, Germany Germany2–22–8Friendly match
4 21 August 2002Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands Faroe Islands1–01–3Friendly match
5 20 August 2003Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein San Marino1–02–2Friendly match
6 13 October 2004Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Luxembourg3–04–02006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
7 17 November 2004Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Latvia1–11–32006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
8 7 September 2005Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Luxembourg1–03–02006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
9 6 September 2006Ullevi Stadion, Gothenburg, Sweden Sweden1–11–3UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
10 6 October 2006Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Austria1–01–2Friendly match
11 28 March 2007Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Latvia1–01–0UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
12 22 August 2007Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland1–31–3UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
13 17 October 2007Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Iceland1–03–0UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
14 6 June 2009Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland Finland1–01–22010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
15 7 September 2010Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland Scotland1–01–2UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
16 17 November 2010A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia Estonia1–01–1Friendly match

Managerial career

On 17 September 2018, Frick was appointed manager of FC Vaduz.[23] In his first season at the club, Frick led the club to a world record 47th Liechtenstein Football Cup title with a 3–2 win over FC Ruggell on 1 May 2019.[24][25] In January 2020 his contract was extended until summer 2021.[26]

Frick guided the club back into the Swiss Super League on 10 August 2020 following a second place finish in the 2019–20 Swiss Challenge League and subsequent 5–4 aggregate victory over FC Thun in the relegation play-offs.[27]

Personal life

Frick's sons, Yanik and Noah, are also a professional footballers and both internationals for the Liechtenstein national football team.[28][29]

Honours

As a player

Balzers

FC Zürich

Individual

As a manager

FC Vaduz

References
  1. "Mario Frick: Liechtenstein's unsung hero". Gentleman Ultra. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  2. Connelly 2002, 52
  3. Connelly 2002, 137
  4. "Frick's credentials prove Liechtenstein are due respect". The Independent. 26 March 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  5. Connelly 2002, 222
  6. "Mario Frick è il nuovo allenatore del Vaduz" (in Italian). Calcio Hellas. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  7. "Parma 2–2 Hellas Verona". Lega Serie A (in Italian). 28 October 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  8. Connelly 2002, 315
  9. "HOW FATE CONTRIVED TO UNFAIRLY BANISH MAURO CAMORANESI TO THE SHADOWS". These Football Times. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  10. "Remembering the Overlooked Brilliance of Juventus Legend Mauro Camoranesi". Bleacher Report. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  11. "Ternana: un sogno chiamato Mario Frick" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 25 August 2002. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  12. "Liechtenstein name young squad". BBC. 18 March 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  13. "Mario Frick extends contract with Ternana". Big Soccer. 8 January 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  14. "The Life and Times of Mario Frick". In Bed With Maradona. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  15. "Busse für Mario Frick" (in German). Blick. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  16. Sabino Palermo (13 October 2015). "Frick, il "10" dei record si ritira: il Liechtenstein saluta il capitano" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  17. "Century just reward for Liechtenstein's Frick". UEFA. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  18. Connelly 2002, 57
  19. "A Liechtenstein romance". ESPN. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  20. "The last European minnows part 1: San Marino and Liechtenstein". The Paths Less Travelled. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  21. "Austria ease past Liechtenstein to finish unbeaten". UEFA.com. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  22. "Statistik:Liechtensteiner Fussballverband" (in German). Liechtensteiner Fussballverband. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  23. "OFFICIAL - Mario FRICK is the new Vaduz FC boss". Football Ghana. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  24. "Domestic Cups Trivia". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  25. "Spielbericht: FC Vaduz vs. FC Ruggell 3:2" (in German). FC Vaduz. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  26. "Vaduz manager Mario Frick signs contract until 2021". www.vaterland.li. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  27. "GESCHAFFT! Aufstieg in die Raiffeisen Super League". FC Vaduz (in German). 10 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  28. "Jungspund Yanik Frick eifert Vater Mario nach".
  29. Pescio, Marco (8 October 2018). "Frick-Söhne wollen gemeinsam in die Ländle-Nati" [Frick's sons want to join the national team together] (in German). Blick. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  30. Swissinfo.ch (2000). "Late-Zurich-goal-deluge-sinks-Lucerne". Swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  31. "Die Bisherigen Fussballer des Jahres" (in German). Fussballer des Jahres. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
  • Connelly, Charlie (2002) Stamping Grounds: Exploring Liechtenstein and Its World Cup Dreams. Abacus.
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