Germany Appoints a Female Coach to a Men's Football Team for the first time

Bavarian football club Ingolstadt has appointed Germany's first female coach in professional men's football until the end of the current season. Although 32-year-old Sabrina Wittmann is currently taking on the role on a temporary basis, the club's management does not rule out a long-term contract with her.

Sabrina Wittmann will have three and a half weeks to prove herself in this position.

The first female coach of one of Germany's three men's professional football leagues, she said she feels comfortable and completely relaxed ahead of her debut match on Sunday.  

Wittmann was appointed interim coach of FC Ingolstadt until the end of the season after the third division side sacked Michael Köllner when the club failed to win promotion. 

On Friday, the newly appointed coach appeared in front of journalists at her first press conference in this role. 

Ingolstadt sporting director Ivo Grlich said that he did not rule out signing Wittmann on a permanent basis. 

"It would be a mistake to rule out such things. We are open to everything," Grlić told reporters about the prospect.

"She has the opportunity to get a taste of professional football for three and a half weeks so she can continue to develop. We are not afraid. The team will look after her, we are absolutely sure of that."  

Sabrina Wittmann, 32, a professional player, has worked at the club for 19 years, first as a player and most recently as a coach of the under-19s.

Last year, former Werder Bremen midfielder Marie-Louise Eta became the first female Bundesliga assistant coach at Hertha Berlin. Until now, there has never been a female head coach in one of Germany's professional men's leagues.