Sabrina Wittmann: Ingolstadt become first German team in top three divisions to hire a female head coach

Sabrina Wittmann has become the first woman to take charge of a German team in the top three national divisions; the 32-year-old took charge of the third division side in May on an interim basis and was unbeaten in her four matches in charge

Sabrina Wittmann has been appointed the permanent head coach of German third-tier club Ingolstadt, marking the first time a female coach has been given the role with a men’s team in the country’s top three national divisions.

The 32-year-old Wittmann was put in charge of Ingolstadt for its last four games of the season as interim coach and on Wednesday the club said she had been appointed on a permanent basis.

“When I took over the first team in May on an interim basis, I had hoped that it wouldn’t just be a short adventure,” Wittmann said in a statement.

“With every moment that I spent with the team after that, my wish to be allowed to stay long-term in this position grew stronger.”

Wittmann was unbeaten in her four games as interim coach with two wins and two draws, and her team won the regional Bavarian Cup to qualify for next season’s German Cup.