The door has closed abruptly on one of German football’s modern pioneers. Sabrina Wittmann has been dismissed with immediate effect as head coach of FC Ingolstadt after an unconvincing start to the 3. Liga season.
The 35-year-old made history when she became the first woman to lead a professional men’s team in German football. But Ingolstadt, currently 13th in the 20-club third division, have decided that a change is needed after reviewing both the previous campaign and the team’s early results this season.
Wittmann was informed of the decision in a one-to-one meeting. The club said the move followed a detailed assessment of the squad’s sporting progress over the past season and its current 3. Liga performances, concluding that a restructuring was required to provide fresh momentum for the challenges ahead. Ingolstadt also acknowledged that the decision had been difficult on a personal level.
A historic appointment ends
Wittmann first took charge on an interim basis in May 2024 before being confirmed as Ingolstadt’s permanent first-team coach. Her appointment marked a landmark moment in German football, placing a woman in charge of a professional men’s side for the first time.
Her spell did not bring the promotion push the club had sought. Ingolstadt, who have remained in the third tier since 2022, finished 10th in 2024-25 and then 12th last season. They have not seriously challenged for a return to the second division during the past four years.
Wittmann added the UEFA Pro Licence to her credentials in January, but that achievement was not enough to extend her time at a club she regarded as her footballing home. Her Ingolstadt chapter now ends immediately, with the Schanzer searching for a new direction in a season that has already lost its rhythm.
