Sabrina Wittmann is doing something no other woman in Germany has done. She's the head coach of a men's professional football team, and she's doing it brilliantly.
The 34-year-old took charge of third-division Ingolstadt in May 2024 for the final four games of the season. Her team didn't lose a single match and won the Bavarian Cup. That was enough to earn her the permanent job in June, making history in German football.
"I opened the door a little for women. And at the beginning I was honestly afraid of closing the door as quickly again," Wittmann said in a recent interview. The pressure was intense at first, but she's learned to handle it.
Now, she's thrilled that journalists ask her more about football tactics than about being a woman in a man's world. That's exactly what she wanted all along.
Handling Success and Criticism
Wittmann's approach is refreshingly simple. She focuses on her own strengths rather than comparing herself to male coaches. "I wanted to be the best because of me, not because of everybody else," she explained.
For her, coaching is mostly about people management. She uses empathy to make tough decisions easier to accept, while still demanding the best from her players. The support from her club and managing director Dietmar Beiersdorfer has been crucial.
Of course, not everyone has been supportive. She's faced negative comments on social media and even heard criticism from the stands. But Wittmann keeps perspective. "Nine out of ten are really positive and one is negative," she said. "The loudest one is sometimes the most negative one."
Her contract extension announced Friday shows Ingolstadt's faith in her vision. The club sits 11th in the 20-team division, safely mid-table. For bettors following the 3. Liga, Ingolstadt's stability under Wittmann suggests they're a solid pick for steady, if unspectacular, results this season.
Building for the Future
Wittmann isn't chasing quick promotion. After bouncing between divisions in recent years, Ingolstadt needs sustainable growth. The club was in the Bundesliga as recently as 2017 but has struggled since.
"We need to build up something for years. We need to grow healthily," Wittmann stressed. Last summer, the team lost 19 players who moved up to higher divisions. That's a sign of successful player development, which is Wittmann's priority.
She recently earned her pro license, Germany's highest coaching credential. It means she's qualified to coach any team on the planet. But opportunities for women remain limited in men's football in Germany.
Wittmann knows moving to a bigger club will be difficult. She's had positive conversations with decision-makers from other clubs, but talk is different from action. Still, she's optimistic that things will change in five or ten years, not just for her but for all women who want to coach.
For now, her focus remains on Ingolstadt. And she's showing that women absolutely belong in men's football.
