“The topic of a pregnant coach is still new territory in professional football” – Theresa Merk (r.), coach of FC Freiburg
Professional football is yet to see its first male player take parental leave, while female athletes continue to advocate for clearer policies regarding pregnancy and maternity rights. Although some progress has been made by governing bodies, challenges remain. This Sunday, Theresa Merk, who welcomed her daughter last August, will return to her role as coach for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. “pregnancy among coaches is still uncharted territory in professional football,” says the 35-year-old,reflecting on her six-month break. “There’s a lot of talk about empowering women in football—coaches, referees, leaders.The sport is becoming more professional, but there’s still work to be done,” she adds. “Women naturally have children, so clear guidelines for pregnant coaches are essential, especially since most of us work on fixed-term contracts.”
For decades,mothers in football have fought for their rights. A landmark moment came in 2023 when FIFA ruled that Olympique Lyon must pay over €80,000 to Icelandic player Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir. The club had withheld part of her salary after she announced her pregnancy, a decision FIFA deemed unlawful.
Starting June 2024, FIFA introduced complete regulations to safeguard pregnant players and coaches. These include provisions for contract flexibility outside transfer windows, protection against dismissal, breastfeeding accommodations, and phased returns to training. FIFA urges all member associations to adopt these mandatory standards.
In the German national team, players like almuth Schult, Melanie Leupolz, and Svenja Huth have brought their infants on international trips in recent years. Most recently, DFB striker Tabea Sellner became a mother. “Support is crucial.Structures need to be in place,and there’s room for improvement in Germany,” Sellner shared in an ARD interview.
Last December, the German Football Association (DFB) reinforced the rights of pregnant players and mothers, aligning with FIFA’s global minimum standards to enhance workplace protections.
While progress has been made on paper,real-world challenges persist. Almuth Schult, a goalkeeper with three children and a former player for Kansas City Current, remains a key advocate for her peers.“Many players have told me they’d have started families by now if not for their careers. But they fear it could jeopardize their futures,” Schult explains. “they feel uncertain about their rights and the support available.”
Schult highlights a critical gap in the regulations: reintegration after maternity leave. “You’re not match-ready immediately. If FIFA mandates full pay, clubs expect full performance, which isn’t realistic,” she says. Additionally, there’s little guidance on training during pregnancy, leaving players and coaches in the dark.
Theresa Merk raises another concern: the legal restrictions on working past 8 p.m. for pregnant women. “If a game starts at 7:30 p.m., I can’t leave at halftime. Football hasn’t fully considered these nuances,” she notes. Schult also points out the lack of anonymous support for players contemplating pregnancy. “There’s no neutral platform for advice. Clubs and associations aren’t equipped for this,” she says. Only FIFPro, the global players’ union, offers such resources.
Asking a club about pregnancy plans can be risky. “If a coach or director finds out, it might affect contract negotiations or playing time,” Schult explains. She also observes a lingering bias: “Injured players often receive more trust than those returning from maternity leave.”
Theresa Merk’s Return to coaching: A Milestone for Women in Football
The world of professional football is no stranger to breaking barriers, but the topic of pregnancy and maternity rights for female coaches and players remains a relatively uncharted territory. This Sunday, Theresa merk, the 35-year-old coach of Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, will make her return to the sidelines after a six-month parental leave following the birth of her daughter last August. her journey highlights both the progress made and the challenges that persist in addressing the unique needs of women in football.
merk’s return is a significant moment,not just for her personally but for the sport as a whole.As she aptly puts it, “pregnancy among coaches is still uncharted territory in professional football.” Her statement underscores the lack of established policies and guidelines for pregnant coaches, a gap that needs urgent attention as more women take on leadership roles in the sport.
While governing bodies have made strides in promoting gender equality and empowering women in football—whether as coaches, referees, or administrators—there is still much work to be done. Merk’s experience sheds light on the realities faced by women in the industry. “Women naturally have children, so clear guidelines for pregnant coaches are essential, especially since most of us work on fixed-term contracts,” she emphasizes.
The absence of a male player taking parental leave in professional football further highlights the disparity in how pregnancy and parenthood are addressed across genders. Female athletes and coaches continue to advocate for clearer policies that accommodate their needs without jeopardizing their careers. Merk’s return to coaching is a step forward, but it also serves as a reminder that systemic change is necessary to ensure that women in football are supported at every stage of their professional and personal lives.
As the sport becomes more professional and inclusive, stories like Merk’s are crucial in driving conversations about equality and representation. Her resilience and determination to balance motherhood with her coaching career set a powerful example for aspiring female coaches and players. However, her experience also underscores the need for football’s governing bodies to establish comprehensive policies that address pregnancy, maternity leave, and career continuity for women in the sport.
Theresa Merk’s return to SC freiburg is not just a personal triumph; it is a milestone in the ongoing journey toward gender equality in football. As the sport continues to evolve, it is indeed imperative that the voices of women like Merk are heard and that their experiences inform the advancement of policies that empower and support women at all levels of the game.
The road ahead might potentially be long, but with trailblazers like Theresa Merk leading the way, the future of women in football looks brighter then ever.
