Jeremy Fasano from Ottenbach, Canton of Zurich, is a true all-rounder: alongside his training as a commercial sportsman at ISS Switzerland, he plays as a centre-back for the Grasshopper Club Zurich (GC) U21 team. His daily life? Packed to the brim – but that’s exactly how he likes it.
“I’ve been playing soccer for as long as I can remember,” Jeremy says with a smile. It all started at home, where he kicked his first balls around with his little brother. In elementary school, a teacher noticed his talent - who, as it happened, was also a coach at FC Affoltern. Without hesitation, she took him to a club practice, which laid the foundation for the next five years at the club. A coach there also recognized his potential and arranged a tryout with GC. From then on, everything happened very quickly: Jeremy has now been part of the GC family for six years. Starting out in the U13s, he is now a key member of the U21s and also plays for the Swiss national U19 team. His greatest success with the national team was finishing in 6th place at the U17 European Championship.
Between the Office and the Field - The Daily Life of a KV Athlete
Jeremy’s training as a business-sports student is just as demanding as his training schedule: For the first two years, he attended the UNITED School of Sports exclusively. There, he acquired the necessary basic theoretical business knowledge. Since August 2024, the 18-year-old has been completing his two-year vocational apprenticeship at ISS Switzerland.
His daily schedule is tightly packed: training six times a week - twice in the morning and four times in the afternoon. He has a game every weekend. At the same time, he’s managing his training program at ISS, which requires organizational skills and discipline. That doesn’t leave much free time, but at least Saturday evenings are always set aside for his friends.
A Plan B in his back pocket, but his eyes firmly on the goal
“A good education is important to me,” Jeremy says with conviction. “The commercial apprenticeship gives me a solid foundation in case things don’t work out with soccer. After all, you never know if or how a soccer career will turn out.” His parents have also advised him to pursue this as a safety net for the future.
His big goal? To become a pro at GC and maybe even play in the Champions League one day. His contract was already extended by three years last summer, and some of his teammates are already training with the pros - which is a huge source of motivation for Jeremy.
Feedback as the Key to Success
What Jeremy particularly values at both ISS and GC is open feedback: “That’s the only way I can improve. It’s never meant personally; rather, it shows me where I can focus my efforts to develop further. For me, criticism is an opportunity to build on my strengths and work specifically on my weaknesses.” This mindset drives him to always give his best, both at work and on the field. The 18-year-old thus impressively demonstrates how to combine passion with professional goals.
We’re rooting for you, Jeremy, and wish you continued joy and all the best - both on the soccer field and here at ISS Switzerland!
