The 2016–17 Swiss Challenge League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Brack.ch Challenge League, was the 14th season of the Swiss Challenge League, the second tier in the Swiss football pyramid. It began on 23 July 2016 and ended on 3 June 2017.
On 1 May 2017 FC Le Mont decided to voluntarily relegate three steps down in the league system after being denied a licence to play in the Swiss Challenge League.
On 18 May 2017, Zürich became champions of the 2016–17 Challenge League following their 1–1 draw against Servette and Neuchâtel Xamax's 2–1 defeat at Schaffhausen. They are thus promoted back to the top flight immediately following their relegation the previous season.
Participating teams 2015–16 Swiss Challenge League champions FC Lausanne-Sport were promoted to the 2016–17 Swiss Super League. They were replaced by FC Zürich, who got relegated after last place finish in the 2015–16 Swiss Super League. FC Biel-Bienne got relegated from the Challenge League as the Swiss Football League stripped Biel-Bienne of their league licence. Servette FC won promotion from the 2015–16 1. Liga Promotion.
Stadia and locations
Team Venue Capacity FC Aarau Stadion Brügglifeld 8,000 FC Chiasso Stadio Comunale Riva IV 5,000 FC Le Mont Stade Sous-Ville 4,000 Neuchâtel Xamax Stade de la Maladière 12,000 Servette FC Stade de Genève 30,084 FC Schaffhausen Stadion BreiteLIPO Park Schaffhausen 4,2008,200 FC Wil IGP Arena 6,958 FC Winterthur Schützenwiese 8,550 FC Wohlen Stadion Niedermatten 3,624 FC Zürich Letzigrund 23,605
Personnel and kits Team Manager Kit manufacturer FC Aarau Marco Schällibaum Nike FC Chiasso Baldo Raineri Primato FC Le Mont John Dragani Karhu Neuchâtel Xamax Michel Decastel Erima FC Schaffhausen Murat Yakin gpard Servette FC Meho Kodro 14fourteen FC Wil Maurizio Jacobacci Nike FC Winterthur Umberto Romano (interim) gpard FC Wohlen Francesco Gabriele Adidas FC Zürich Uli Forte Nike
Managerial changes Club Name Date of departure Position in table Replacement Date of appointment Wil Ugur Tütüneker 24 August 2016 7th Martin Rueda 3 September 2016 Wohlen Martin Rueda 2 September 2016 9th Francesco Gabriele 7 September 2016 Schaffhausen Axel Thoma 7 December 2016 10th Nedjad Kuruzovic Interim Wil Martin Rueda 12 December 2016 3rd Ronny Teuber 12 December 2016 Schaffhausen Nedjad Kuruzovic Interim 10th Murat Yakin 21 December 2016 Servette Anthony Braizat 30 December 2016 5th Meho Kodro 30 December 2016 Winterthur Sven Christ 14 February 2017 9th Umberto Romano Interim Wil Ronny Teuber 27 March 2017 6th Maurizio Jacobacci 27 March 2017 Chiasso Giuseppe Scienza 18 April 2017 10th Baldo Raineri 18 April 2017
League table
Results
First and Second Round
Third and Fourth Round
Awards +Swiss Football League Awards 2016AwardWinnerClubPlayer of the Season Jean-Pierre NsameServette FC +Brack.ch Challenge League Dream Team 2016PositionPlayerNationalityClubGoalkeeperAndris Vaņins LatviaFC ZürichDefenderCédric Brunner SwitzerlandFC ZürichDefenderAlain Nef SwitzerlandFC ZürichDefenderIvan Kecojević MontenegroFC ZürichDefenderKay Voser SwitzerlandFC ZürichMidfielderAdrian Winter SwitzerlandFC ZürichMidfielderOliver Buff SwitzerlandFC ZürichMidfielderBurim Kukeli AlbaniaFC ZürichMidfielderRaphaël Nuzzolo SwitzerlandNeuchâtel XamaxForwardGaëtan Karlen SwitzerlandFC Le MontForwardJean-Pierre Nsame CameroonServette FC
References
External links
Soccerway