German Football Remains Male-Dominated
· wellness
Slow Progress on the Pitch
A new study from “Fussball kann mehr” (FKM –– Football Can Do More) sheds light on the German football landscape, revealing that progress towards diversity in professional teams remains glacial. Despite some isolated success stories, 95% of clubs remain male-dominated environments, with only seven having women in upper management levels.
This lack of representation is concerning given recent efforts to increase female presence in top roles. Last season saw a notable increase in women appointed to positions above their male counterparts – four out of 18 new appointments were women. However, this only pushed the total number of women holding top management positions up from one to nine. These women are not tokenistic additions; they bring valuable perspectives and expertise to their roles.
Tatjana Haenni at RB Leipzig and Nicole Kumpis of Eintracht Braunschweig have shown that women can excel in leadership positions within German football. However, their achievements highlight the broader issue: these exceptions are not representative of systemic change. Women’s football is also affected by this problem – despite some positive developments, men still dominate coaching positions in the top division.
Only four teams have female head coaches, raising questions about whether the infrastructure supporting women’s football is truly inclusive or simply a means of perpetuating existing power structures. The release of this study coincides with Euro 2029 being held in Germany, an event that could be a catalyst for change if clubs are willing to implement meaningful reforms.
The FKM report highlights the need for sustained efforts to increase diversity in professional football. While some have hailed these findings as a “spirit of renewal,” others argue that this progress is not yet reflected in grassroots levels or within clubs’ overall structures. Katja Kraus, co-chair of the FKM advisory board, notes that spectacular isolated cases and stagnation at lower levels coexist.
The challenge now lies with the German football community to build on these success stories and implement lasting change. Clubs must take concrete steps towards greater diversity in management positions and ensure that women’s football is given a level playing field. As Germany prepares to host Euro 2029, it is crucial that the country’s top teams seize this opportunity to showcase their commitment to inclusivity and set an example for others to follow.
The pace of change may be slow, but it must continue if German football is to truly claim its place as a leader in promoting diversity. Anything less would be a missed opportunity, not just for women but for the sport itself.
Reader Views
- TCThe Calm Desk · editorial
While the FKM study's findings are disheartening, we shouldn't be surprised by the slow pace of change in German football's leadership. The sport has historically been shaped by a culture of elitism and exclusivity, where social connections and patronage often outweigh meritocracy. What's concerning is that despite isolated success stories like Tatjana Haenni and Nicole Kumpis, their achievements haven't yet sparked broader systemic change or created a critical mass of women in leadership roles.
- DMDr. Maya O. · behavioral researcher
While it's heartening to see women like Tatjana Haenni and Nicole Kumpis breaking through in leadership positions, we need to look beyond these trailblazers and examine the systemic barriers that prevent more women from rising to top roles. The FKM report's focus on male-dominated clubs overlooks a crucial aspect: the role of female fans in shaping the sport's culture and priorities. Research has shown that fan engagement is a key driver of change, yet we rarely see these voices represented in discussions around diversity and inclusion in German football.
- ANAlex N. · habit coach
The data is clear: German football's diversity problem isn't just about tokenistic appointments. It's systemic. The real challenge lies in creating infrastructure that genuinely supports women's football and leadership development. Simply promoting a few trailblazers won't suffice; we need to rethink the way teams develop coaches, trainers, and executives from the ground up. If German clubs are serious about becoming leaders in diversity, they must invest in grassroots programs that foster a culture of inclusivity, not just hire more women to placate critics.