GC Zurich announced the opening of a new headquarters in the city. How did this come about?
Stacy Johns: From my very first visit to Zurich, I noticed a gap between the club and the city fans. That’s why we decided months ago to establish a new headquarters in the city.
What does the club hope to achieve with the new location?
We want to bring GC closer to our urban fans, who still make up the majority of our season ticket holders. The headquarters, with its flexible workspaces, also offers the chance to collaborate with other GC sections. Additionally, there are practical benefits, as we will no longer need to rent spaces for press conferences, workshops, and meetings. Our new staff members, all of whom live in the city, were also keen to work in the city center. Ultimately, it’s another proof of the ownership's long-term plan.
Is the move also a response to the recent criticism that GC is losing its identity due to American ownership?
This criticism is pure rhetoric, because the opposite is true. This year, we have organized numerous events in the city. Press conferences are once again being held in Zurich, much to the delight of the local media. For the first time in a long while, there are regular meetings with local politicians. We are also involving the fans more in our work. In several workshops, they were able to directly participate in parts of our strategy. There are working groups from the GC community advising us on merchandise. Together with GC legends, we are creating a new legends program, because the club's history is important to us. The current ownership is strengthening the club’s local roots and preserving its traditions.
What will happen to the GC/Campus?
The GC/Campus offers unique training conditions nationwide. With the new headquarters in Zurich, the first team and the youth teams will have more space on the campus. Minor renovations will be carried out over the next few months to refresh it.
Will the office be open to the public?
There will certainly be some public events. However, we cannot offer regular visiting hours. Fans can find all the necessary information on our website for any questions or concerns.
This interview was conducted on November 2.