Germanys First Woman…

Sabrina Wittmann found that her groundbreaking achievement took a backseat when her team, the third-division German club FC Ingolstadt 04, struggled in the 2024-25 season.

After taking over from Michael Köllner in May 2024, her press conferences were filled with questions about her historic role as the only female coach of a men’s professional soccer team in Germany. She answered queries about her experience as a role model and whether she could enter the players’ locker room. As these questions faded and were replaced by critiques of her team’s lackluster performances, Wittmann allowed herself a brief smile; she was finally being assessed on her managerial abilities.

Initially appointed as interim manager toward the end of the 2023-24 season, Wittmann’s focus was not on the symbolic weight of her position but on tactics for their upcoming match against Mannheim. “The first consideration was whether to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation or switch to a 4-2-2-2. Did we have time?” she told ESPN.

The match against Mannheim ended in a 1-1 draw, and later that night, she realized the extent of her newfound visibility when she saw her face trending on social media.

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Over her last four league matches, Wittmann secured two victories and two draws while also winning the Bayerischer Toto-Pokal. Her contributions were undeniable, but her permanent position remained uncertain. Eleven days after the season ended, she entered a meeting with Ingolstadt CEO Dietmar Beiersdorfer to find a bottle of wine waiting on the table, indicating good news was forthcoming.

The players recognized Wittmann’s exceptional qualities. “It was impressive how openly she addressed the unusual nature of her situation in our first team meeting, transitioning from coaching teenagers to adults,” noted former player Pascal Testroet in an interview.

“I retained the role because the players advocated for my continuation to management,” Wittmann explained. “Knowing I was deemed capable as a person, not just a coach, was incredibly affirming, allowing me to lead a men’s team authentically.”

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At 34, Wittmann hails from Ingolstadt, a city approximately 50 miles north of Munich and home to the Audi headquarters. A passion for soccer emerged during her childhood, but it was a 2005 trip to Calabria that significantly influenced her career. During a casual game at a hotel, legendary German striker Miroslav Klose noticed her skills.

“Conversations among the guests sparked interest, as we played in front of such a star,” Wittmann recounted. “Eventually, someone encouraged him to tell my mom I should join a club. Miro followed through, and that summer, I began playing for SC Steinberg.”

At 16, she spent a year in the United States on a student exchange program, where her coaches suggested she consider a position as an American football kicker. However, Wittmann pursued her passion for soccer while also coaching a younger team.

By 2009, she was coaching at the Ingolstadt academy as more of a hobby, balancing her enthusiasm for soccer with her studies in law and sports science, as well as an apprenticeship at Audi. Nevertheless, her dedication to coaching led her to eventually rise to the top role.

After taking the helm, Wittmann drew international media attention. “The influx of cameras and media coverage was new for Ingolstadt, which made me realize the significance of the moment,” she stated.

While Ingolstadt has been established in the third tier, the club has a history of playing in the Bundesliga from 2015 to 2017, coaching notable players like Pascal Gross and Alfredo Morales. However, they were relegated in 2017, and later slipped to the current league in 2021.

Ambitious yet grounded, the club aims to ascend while focusing on youth development. Wittmann has coached players from the U9 level to the senior team. “Working with younger teams made me feel the weight of their dreams, which sometimes led to self-doubt, yet I had to remain pragmatic,” she said.

This rapport with players contributed to her securing the full-time position. “Sabrina is meticulous and has a solid approach to our style of play,” said midfielder Yannick Deichmann. “We all trust and support her wholeheartedly.”

“She is ambitious yet maintains a relaxed demeanor,” noted former player Patrick Sussek.

During the 2024-25 preseason, Wittmann laid out her vision for the team, knowing the players’ positive feedback had greatly influenced her hiring. They discussed tactics and various exercises, but she also expressed her need for their support.

“I might be perceived as softer than a man,” she acknowledged. “A father of one of my players encouraged me to embrace my feminine strength. I strive to be true to myself without resorting to toughness.”

“It took almost 15 years to manage a professional team. It’s not solely about accumulating knowledge; it involves building your confidence: Be authentic, stay committed, and practice patience.”

Wittmann encounters negative comments during matches and on social media but tries not to let it affect her. Her friends often joke about the criticism she receives. “I focus on the encouraging feedback because, statistically, most interactions are positive,” she explained. “The loudest criticisms often stem from negativity, but I prefer to highlight the positive support I receive.”

One of her main challenges was acquiring her UEFA Pro Licence, essential for managing in Germany’s top three leagues. Until she was accepted into the program in January 2025, Ingolstadt faced fines amounting to €10,000 plus €3,500 per match she supervised. She balanced her coursework with coaching a transitioning team that had lost 19 players the previous summer. In January, she successfully obtained her license. “Pursued dreams—some fulfilled, new ones discovered,” she shared on Instagram.

While her contract was uncertain with the team battling relegation, results gradually improved by February. On March 6, Ingolstadt announced her contract renewal. “Her authenticity, coherent football philosophy, and dedication to sustainable team development set her apart,” Beiersdorfer noted. “Her long-standing association with FC Ingolstadt 04 has given her a unique sense of connection and responsibility towards our club.”

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Wittmann draws inspiration from figures like Jurgen Klopp for his passion and Pep Guardiola for his tactical acumen. She closely studies the methodologies of Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. Yet, she is also conscious of being a source of inspiration for aspiring coaches.

“I realized I had opened a door for women in coaching, and initially, I feared closing it too quickly,” she confessed. “But I reassured myself—’Let’s take action and not dwell on it.’ While pressure initially felt overwhelming, I adapted.

“I encountered a six-year-old girl at the farmer’s market in Munich who, despite not being a football fan, was thrilled about my appointment.”

“While I have many supporters, I’m aware of those who hope for my missteps. I remain calm, striving to excel as I am, not forcefully adopting a façade.”

Women in roles like Wittmann’s are rare. Nadine Keßler, UEFA’s head of women’s football, has pointed out the substantial gender gap among Pro License holders: “In Europe, the ratio is 75 male Pro License coaches for every female coach. The DFB boasts the closest ratio at 28 to 1,” she stated.

Marie-Louise Eta of Union Berlin became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach in 2023, and Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb made history as the first woman referee in the Bundesliga in 2017. Other coaches such as Inka Grings (SV Straelen) and Imke Wübbenhorst (Sportfreunde Lotte) have managed in lower tiers.

“While I’m honored, I don’t embrace the term ‘role model,'” Wittmann remarked. “My close friends are doctors making a significant impact, and I’m merely a football manager. If I can inspire young girls and boys, that makes me proud. It took time to realize this, but I now carry that sense of confidence.”

The current season has been challenging for Ingolstadt, but they remain safe in 3. Liga. The aim is to retain their top talents over the summer and continue nurturing the youth pipeline Wittmann has developed. Alongside her trusted assistant coach, Fabian Reichler, Wittmann strategizes for promotion. As the first woman to coach in German professional soccer and the youngest manager in the top three divisions, she is determined to reach even greater heights.

“When you lose three games in a row, it feels tough,” she admitted. “But you must instill belief in the team, regardless of gender. If players sense doubt in you or a lack of belief, they’ll mirror that mentality. Thus, you must fight and maintain faith in your capabilities.”