Friedrich "Fritz" Künzli (8 January 1946 – 22 December 2019) was a Swiss football player. From 1961 to 1979 he played in 313 matches in the Nationalliga A scoring a record 201 goals.[1][2] In 1978, he played part of one season in the North American Soccer League.

Fritz Künzli
Personal information
Full name Friedrich Künzli
Date of birth (1946-01-08)8 January 1946
Place of birth Glarus, Switzerland
Date of death 22 December 2019(2019-12-22) (aged 73)
Place of death Zürich
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1961–1964 FC Glarus
1964–1973 FC Zürich 212 (157)
1973–1976 FC Winterthur 52 (14)
1976–1978 FC Lausanne-Sport 38 (26)
1978 San Diego Sockers 2 (1)
1978 Houston Hurricane 8 (2)
1978–1979 FC Lausanne-Sport 9 (3)
International career
1965–1977 Switzerland 44 (14)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He was a leading goal scorer four times in the league and is one of only three players to lead the league in goals for two different clubs.[1] He achieved his greatest success teaming with Köbi Kuhn at FC Zürich, winning two league championships, and four Swiss Cups.

He earned 44 caps and scored 15 goals for Switzerland between 17 October 1965 and 16 November 1977.[1] His international career includes two matches in the 1966 World Cup.[3]

After retiring from football, he operated a restaurant in Zürich with his wife, former actress and model, Monika Kaelin. He died on 22 December 2019, having suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years.[1][2]

Honors

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Fritz Künzli ist im Alter von 73 Jahren gestorben". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). 22 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Carnet noir: décès de Fritz Künzli" (in French). RTS. 22 December 2019.
  3. ^ Fritz KünzliFIFA competition record (archived)
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