A first in Germany. Sabrina Wittmann is the new head coach of third division team FC Ingolstadt 04, making her the first female head coach ever at the German professional level. Wittmann finishes the season at Ingolstadt, which released Michael Köllner on Thursday.

Köllner was fired due to the 'negative development of the sporting results' and therefore had to pay for it with his dismissal. Wittmann thus comes to stand in front of the group. The 32-year-old German was head coach of Ingolstadt's Under 19s and is now making a nice promotion.

Wittmann left Germany at the age of sixteen to work in the United States, where she led a student team in Kentucky. After a year she returned to Germany. In 2009 she became a coach at the Audi Schanzer football school. Three years later she started working for the Under 15 of Ingolstadt.

Through the Under 16 and Under 17, she also became assistant to Germany Under 16 and has been the head coach of Ingolstadt's Under 19 since the 2021/22 season. She has also been appointed as 'head of football development' at the club.

“There is no place I would rather have made my debut as head coach,” Wittmann said on the club website. “Ingolstadt is something very special for me, the club from my hometown. I started here nineteen years ago, played there myself and took my first steps as a coach.”

“As a coach, those responsible have given me their trust and always supported me. Through all my years on the sidelines of many youth teams, I have grown into the coach that I am today.” Ingolstadt is eleventh in the 3. Bundesliga and knows that it can no longer be promoted or relegated.

Managing Director Dietmar Beiersdorfer is pleased with the appointment. “Sabrina Wittmann knows our club better than anyone and is one Schanzer in heart and soul. As acting head coach of our very successful Under 19s, she has continuously developed – both professionally and personally – in recent years.”

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