Despite a high percentage of drawn matches, they finished seven points clear of Grasshopper Club Zürich to win their fifth successive title.
Basel were active in the transfer market, a significant transaction being the sale of Mohamed Salah to Chelsea for an estimated £13 million.
Executive officeholders in the holding company were Bernhard Heusler (chairman), Stephan Werthmüller (finance director) and Georg Heitz (Sportdirector).
Last updated: 1 July 2013Source: FCB Official Site Basel's biggest signings in pre-season were two players who had already played for the club in recent years: Behrang Safari, who returned from RSC Anderlecht; and Matías Delgado, who was signed on a free transfer from Al Jazira Club.
Giovanni Sio was signed from VfL Wolfsburg and Ivan Ivanov from Partizan[4] Aleksandar Dragović was transferred to Dynamo Kyiv.
FSV Mainz 05; Gilles Yapi Yapo to Dubai CSC; Cabral to Sunderland; Markus Steinhöfer to Real Betis; and Jacques Zoua to Hamburger SV.
In two spells at the club (1997 to 1998 and 2009 to 2013), Frei played in 217 matches and scored a total of 148 goals, winning four league championships and two cup titles.
[citation needed] During the winter transfer window, Basel signed Davide Callà from FC Aarau in exchange for Stephan Andrist.
[citation needed] Basel also signed Marek Suchý on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season.
[citation needed] FC Basel were aiming to win the Swiss Super League for the fifth time in succession.
This was the case once again because, after losing 1–2 to FC Zürich, they were fourth after round six, and six points behind the league leaders, BSC Young Boys.
Having to go into extra time against Old Boys, FCB only prevailed 1–0 thanks to a header from the newly signed Bulgarian Ivan Ivanov in the 95th minute, playing with 10 men at the Stadion Schützenmatte, in front of 4,384 spectators.
After a goalless first half, Basel won 3–1 with goals by Mo Salah, Giovanni Sio and Marcelo Diaz.
[13] The quarter-finals were played on 5 February 2014, following postponement due to the weather, and Basel were drawn away to third tier FC Le Mont, whom they defeated 6–1.
[14] In the semi-final on 26 March, Basel were drawn at home against FC Luzern and won 1–0 after a late goal scored by Davide Callà.
[16] Because Basel entered the Champions League in the qualifying phase their initial aim was to reach the group stage.
Basel sprang a shock, however, as Salah and Streller scored well-taken goals in the 71st and 81st minutes respectively for an unexpected 2–1 victory.
Marcelo Diaz scored for Basel early in the second half but Steaua equalised through substitute Leandro Tatu in the 88th minute.
[24] In the return game against Steaua on 6 November, Basel went a goal down early in the first half and were still behind as the match entered injury time.
To their relief, substitute Giovanni Sio then scored from close range, and as in the previous meeting between the two teams, the match ended in a 1–1 draw.
After half an hour's play, Basel's central defender Ivan Ivanov was sent off for an illegal challenge on Ádám Szalai.
[citation needed] The draw for the knockout phase of the Europa League, involving 32 teams, was held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on 16 December 2013.
Basel were drawn against the team that they had eliminated during the qualifying phase of the Champions League, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Basel were badly hit by injuries at this point of the season and were without Marco Streller, Behrang Safari, Marcelo Diaz, Kay Voser, Taulant Xhaka, Ivan Ivanov and Fabian Schär.
Towards the end of the match, Basel used two 17-year-old substitutes Breel Embolo and Albian Ajeti, both making their professional debuts.
However, Basel fought back to win 21 after goals scored by Marco Streller (50 minutes) and Gastón Sauro (60).
[32] Although eight players were out of action due to injury or suspension, Basel produced an outstanding performance to win 3–0 with goals by Matias Delgado (2) and Valentin Stocker.