Sabrina Wittmann Explained

Sabrina Wittmann
Birth Date:19 July 1991
Birth Place:Ingolstadt, Germany
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:FC Ingolstadt (head coach)
Youthyears1:2005–2008
Youthclubs1:SC Steinberg
Years1:2009–2013
Clubs1:Ingolstadt
Years2:2013
Clubs2:Greuther Fürth
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:Stern München
Years4:2015–2023
Clubs4:Amicitia München
Manageryears1:2024–
Managerclubs1:FC Ingolstadt

Sabrina Wittmann (born 19 July 1991) is a German professional football manager who is the head coach of 3. Liga club FC Ingolstadt. She is the first female head coach in Germany's top three divisions of football.

Playing career

Born in Ingolstadt, Wittmann began playing football with SC Steinberg/Biberg in Kipfenberg in 2005, then joined FC Ingolstadt's B youth team.[1] [2] At age 16, she moved to the U.S. state of Kentucky, where she played high school soccer.[2]

Managerial career

Wittmann first coached football as an assistant for a middle school team in Kentucky in 2008.[1] She returned to Germany and joined FC Ingolstadt's academy as a coach in 2009.[2] She became head coach of the under-15 women's team in 2012.[1] She co-managed the club's Under 19 Bundesliga team starting in 2018–19.[2]

On 2 May 2024, Wittmann was promoted to replace Michael Köllner as interim head coach of the senior team, making her the first woman to coach a team in the top three divisions of German football.[3] The team went undefeated under Wittmann with two wins and two draws to close the 2023–24 season, finishing with a win in the regional Bavarian Cup on 25 May to qualify for the DFB-Pokal.[4] On 6 June, the club announced that she was made the team's permanent head coach.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Die einzige Trainerin in der Jugend-Bundesliga: Sabrina Wittmann im Interview. Mollus. Lea-Sophie. 29 November 2022. Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine. 6 June 2024. de.
  2. News: FCI Stellt Cheftrainer Michael Köllner Frei, Sabrina Wittmann Übernimmt Bis Saisonende. 2 May 2024. FC Ingolstadt 04. 6 June 2024. de.
  3. News: Sabrina Wittmann, die erste Trainerin im Profifußball. 2 May 2024. Welt. 6 June 2024. de.
  4. News: Der FC Ingolstadt 04 Ist Toto-Pokal-Sieger 2024. 25 May 2024. Bavarian Football Association. 6 June 2024. de.
  5. News: Sabrina Wittmann appointed as first female head coach of German men's soccer team in top 3 divisions. 6 June 2024. Associated Press. 6 June 2024.
  6. Web site: FC Ingolstadt 04 — Termine . kicker.de . Olympia Verlag . 7 June 2024 . German.
  7. Web site: FC Ingolstadt 04 — Trainer . kicker.de . Olympia Verlag . 7 June 2024 . German.