INGOLSTADT, Germany – Sabrina Wittmann, the groundbreaking head coach of FC Ingolstadt, has signed a contract extension, solidifying her position as the first and only woman to lead a professional men’s soccer team in Germany. The extension recognizes Wittmann’s impact since taking the helm in May 2024, a period marked by stability and a renewed sense of direction for the 3. Liga club.
Wittmann initially stepped into the role as an interim manager for the final four matches of the 2023-24 season, immediately making history. Under her guidance, Ingolstadt remained undefeated and secured a crucial victory in the Bavarian Cup, earning them a spot in the DFB-Pokal – Germany’s national cup competition. That success led to a permanent appointment in June 2024, a landmark moment for gender equality in German football.
“I opened a door a little bit for women,” Wittmann told reporters on a recent online call. “And at the beginning, I was honestly afraid of closing the door so quickly again.” She acknowledged the initial pressure that came with the role, but emphasized her growing comfort and focus on the game itself. “With all the pressure I felt at the beginning, you get used to it. The best response to all of this is that right now I get a lot more questions about football than at the beginning. And that’s something I love.”
A Focus on People and Long-Term Growth
At 34 years vintage, Wittmann’s approach centers on her strengths and a clear vision for the club. “I wanted to be the best for myself, not for everyone else… that makes it really natural for me, and authentic,” she explained. “If a woman tries to be a man, or tries to be on the same level, it’s probably unnatural.” She prioritizes people management, recognizing that making difficult decisions is an inherent part of the job, and utilizes empathy to navigate challenging situations.
Wittmann reports feeling accepted within the club, attributing that to the support of Managing Director Dietmar Beiersdorfer. However, she has as well faced negative comments on social media and even from some spectators at matches. She chooses to focus on the overwhelmingly positive feedback she receives. “I try not to focus on those things, because if it comes down to a conversation, positive or negative, nine out of ten are really positive and one is negative. The loudest is sometimes the most negative, but Notice nine people who think it’s a decent thing, so I try to focus on that and not craft things bigger than they are.”
From Kentucky to the Bundesliga: A Unique Path
Wittmann’s journey to becoming a professional football manager is unconventional. She began playing soccer at age 14 and, as a 16-year-old exchange student in Kentucky, discovered a passion for coaching while assisting a middle school team. Her mother’s role as a teacher provided the initial opportunity. “I simply fell in love with this job or this part of being in football. Then I returned (to Germany). I imply, I was still playing and coaching at the same time,” she recalled.
Her time in the United States also exposed her to a more physically demanding style of play. “I had never been to the gym before, so I went to the United States; we had something like gym every day, something we didn’t do in Germany,” she said. “When I came back to play football here, the girls told me that I play in a much more physical way than before.”
Building for the Future at Ingolstadt
The contract extension announced on Friday reflects the club’s confidence in Wittmann’s leadership. As of this weekend, Ingolstadt sits in 11th place in the 20-team 3. Liga table, preparing to face Verl on Sunday. Wittmann emphasized the importance of long-term planning. “In the last two years, we’ve done a good job, even though we haven’t gone up to the second division, but I think we necessitate to build something over years. We need to grow healthily.”
Ingolstadt has experienced periods of both success and relegation in recent years, descending from the Bundesliga in 2017 and the 2. Bundesliga in 2019, before briefly returning to the second tier in 2021. Wittmann, who grew up watching Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga as a fan, believes previous attempts at promotion came too soon. “I think in recent years, especially with Didi Beiersdorfer, it was about building something,” she stated, noting that the team lost 19 players last summer – a testament to their development and progression to higher leagues. “Not in a sad way, but (because) we developed players who moved up to the second league or even the first. I am a youth coach and, above all, it is about developing players. The better the player gets, the better the team is in the complete.”
The extension comes just over a month after Wittmann obtained her professional coaching license, the highest coaching credential from the German Football Association (DFB). This achievement underscores her commitment to professional development and her growing expertise in the field.
Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change
While Wittmann’s success is significant, she acknowledges the limited opportunities for women in German professional men’s football. In 2023, Marie-Louise Eta became the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga, and Bibiana Steinhaus was the first female referee in the league in 2017, but progress remains sluggish. Notably, Christian Wück is currently the head coach of the German women’s national team.
Wittmann recognizes the challenges in convincing decision-makers at other clubs to hire a woman as a head coach. “I probably have a hard time finding decision-makers in the 36 clubs of the top two German men’s divisions who would hire a woman as head coach, but I believe it will happen,” she said. “I’ve had many conversations with other decision-makers at other clubs. There’s a difference (between) talking to me and telling me I’m doing a good job and making the decision. I know that will be difficult.”
For now, Wittmann remains fully committed to FC Ingolstadt. “Someday it will probably happen and I will have to leave here, hopefully because I am able to coach an even better-placed team,” she said. “Yes, I think that will be difficult. I know it, and it won’t be simple, but I think that in five years, nine, ten years, whatever, I hope things will change, and not just for me, but for any other woman who wants to be a coach.”
Next Up: FC Ingolstadt will host Verl on Sunday as they continue their 3. Liga campaign. Kickoff is scheduled for [verify kickoff time and local time/UTC conversion] at the Saturn-Arena in Ingolstadt.
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