Rolf Blättler Explained

Rolf Blättler
Birth Date:24 October 1942
Birth Place:Uster, Switzerland
Death Place:Minusio, Switzerland
Position:Midfielder, forward
Years1:1963–1969
Clubs1:Grasshoppers
Caps1:143
Goals1:101
Years2:1969–1971
Clubs2:Lugano
Caps2:54
Goals2:26
Years3:1971–1972
Clubs3:Basel
Caps3:25
Goals3:9
Years4:1972–1977
Clubs4:St. Gallen
Caps4:110
Goals4:38
Years5:1977–1979
Clubs5:Luzern
Years6:1979–?
Clubs6:Locarno
Nationalyears1:1966–1973
Nationalteam1:Switzerland
Nationalcaps1:28
Nationalgoals1:12
Manageryears1:1979–1984
Managerclubs1:Locarno
Manageryears2:1984
Managerclubs2:Switzerland U23
Manageryears3:1984–1986
Managerclubs3:Switzerland U21

Rolf Blättler (24 October 1942 – 12 March 2024) was a Swiss footballer who played as midfielder or forward. At club level, he had stints at Grasshoppers, Lugano, St. Gallen, Luzern and Locarno. At international level, he made 28 appearances for the Switzerland national team scoring 12 goals. Blättler died in Minusio on 12 March 2024, at the age of 81.[1] [2]

Club career

From 1963 to 1969 Blättler played for Grasshoppers. During the 1964–65 Nationalliga A season he scored 19 goals in 26 league games, becoming top scorer together with Pierre Kerkhoffs. He managed the title again during the following season with 28 goals and in the 1966–67 Nationalliga A season he won the title for the third time, this time jointly with Fritz Künzli.

Blättler then transferred for two years to Lugano. After which he spent the 1971—72 season with Basel and won the championship. During this season he played a total of 39 matches for Basel scoring 13 goals, of which 25 were league games in which he scored 9 goals. In 1972 Blättler transferred to St. Gallen where he stayed four seasons before he moved to Luzern.

International career

Blättler played his debut for the Switzerland national team on 22 October 1966 in a test match against Belgium, in the Olympiastadion in Sint-Andries, Bruges. Switzerland lost 1–0.[3] He scored his first two goals for his country on 24 May 1967 in the 7—1 win against Romania.

Coaching career

In 1979 Blättler transferred to Locarno and became player-manager. He stayed trainer until 1984.[4] Blättler was also coach of the Swiss U23[5] and the Swiss U21 teams.[6]

Honours

Basel'

Notes and References

  1. https://www.fclugano.com/e-morto-rolf-blattler/ E’ morto Rolf Blättler.
  2. News: Schweizer Fussball trauert um Rolf Blättler (†81) . 14 March 2024 . Blick . 13 March 2024.
  3. Web site: eu-football . 2016 . all internationals of Rolf Blättler . eu-football . 19 March 2016.
  4. Web site: rsssf . 2016 . Switzerland - Trainers of First and Second Division Clubs . rsssf . 19 March 2016.
  5. Web site: rsssf . 2016 . Switzerland - International Matches U-23 Team . rsssf . 19 March 2016.
  6. Web site: rsssf . 2016 . Switzerland - International Matches U-21 Team . rsssf . 19 March 2016.