BERLIN (AP) - Sabrina Wittmann has made history as the first and only woman appointed as head coach of a men's professional soccer team in Germany. Taking the helm of her hometown club, third-division Ingolstadt, in May 2024, she quickly garnered attention by leading the team to an unbeaten finish in the last four games of the season and winning the Bavarian Cup. Following this success, she was awarded the permanent coaching position in June.
Wittmann, who is 34 years old, acknowledged the weight of her role, stating, "I opened the door a little for women. And at the beginning, I was honestly afraid of closing the door as quickly (again)." She reflected on the pressure she felt initially but expressed that she has become accustomed to it, noting an increase in football-related questions directed at her compared to her early days in the role.
Focusing on her strengths and authenticity, Wittmann believes that to excel, one must remain true to oneself. "I wanted to be the best because of me, not because of everybody else," she emphasized. For her, coaching is fundamentally about managing people, including making tough decisions, which requires a balance of empathy and assertiveness.
Despite the acceptance she has felt within the club, Wittmann has not been immune to negativity. She mentioned encountering adverse comments on social media and in stadiums but remains focused on the positives, stating, "nine out of ten are really positive and one is negative." She aims to concentrate on the constructive feedback rather than overemphasizing the negative.
Wittmann's journey in soccer began later than most; she only started playing at the age of 14. Her path took a significant turn when she traveled to Kentucky, USA, as an exchange student, where she found work as an assistant coach through her host mother. This experience solidified her passion for coaching, inspiring her to balance her roles as both a player and coach upon returning to Germany. She noted how the physical nature of the game in the U.S. was starkly different from Germany, helping her develop a more assertive style on the field.
Recently, Ingolstadt announced a contract extension for Wittmann. As her team sits at 11th place in a 20-team league, she remains focused on long-term growth. Ingolstadt has faced recent relegations, returning to the second division in 2021 but falling back to the third tier shortly after. Wittmann recognizes the need for sustainable development within the club, saying, "We need to grow healthily." Over the summer, they lost 19 players, indicating a focus on player development to enhance overall team performance.
The contract extension comes just over a month after Wittmann obtained her professional coaching license, which is the highest coaching credential available in Germany. She described this accomplishment as a significant dream and noted its importance for her career aspirations.
Despite some progress, Wittmann acknowledges that opportunities for women in men's professional soccer remain limited in Germany, with few women in coaching or leadership roles. Notable advancements include Marie-Louise Eta becoming the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach in 2023, alongside Bibiana Steinhaus, who made history as the first female referee in 2017. Wittmann believes that while it may be challenging to find decision-makers willing to hire women as head coaches, she is hopeful for the future and envisions her potential to advance to higher-ranked teams someday.
In concluding her thoughts, she expressed a desire for change not just for herself but for all women aspiring to coach in the industry over the coming years, foreseeing a gradual evolution in the landscape of soccer leadership.
