Jean-Paul Brigger was born in Switzerland on 14 December 1957. He started playing football with his hometown club in St. Niklaus, were he was a member of the youth section until 1975.

The striker moved to FC Visp as an 18-year-old, before switching to big-name FC Sion two seasons later. Brigger claimed national honours with Sion, who were Swiss cup winners in 1980 and 1982. The 1.80 metre goal-getter also made his senior international debut at this time.

After the second cup triumph, Brigger signed for Geneva outfit Servette, finishing leading scorer in the Swiss top flight in his first season at the club. He was a cup winner for the third time the following season, before helping Servette to championship glory the year after that.

After winning the league in Geneva, Brigger returned to Sion and spent the next seven seasons as a prominent figure at the club. Sion won the cup again in 1986 and 1991. The crowning glory came in 1992, the striker’s final season as a pro, when Sion won the championship title and Brigger was named Swiss Player of the Year.

Brigger, who finished with a total of 35 caps, spent 1992 to 1997 working as a coach with Sion, Naters and Lucerne. He was named Swiss Coach of the Year in 1996.

He joined FIFA in 1999 as a member of its development section. After a sabbatical year as technical director at Grasshoppers Zurich in 2004, he rejoined FIFA in 2005. Brigger is currently Director of the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG), responsible for analysing changing trends in world football and keeping FIFA member associations up to date with the latest tactical developments.

Career as a player
1977–1982 FC Sion
1982–1985 Servette
1985–1992 FC Sion

Career as a coach
1992-1993 FC Sion
1993-1994 FC Naters
1994-1997 FC Luzern