The contract only ran until summer
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In the last 18 years, FC Ingolstadt has only had one head coach who came close to the 100-game mark with the Schanzer; Ralph Hasenhüttl with 95 games. Now Sabrina Wittmann – Germany’s only female coach in professional football – is preparing to not only exceed this value. There’s even a new record for the club that was newly formed in 2004. The Ingolstadt native’s contract, which is only valid until the summer, has been extended, as the FCI announced on Friday. “As head coach, Sabrina has consistently demonstrated the professional quality and leadership strength she brings,” said FCI managing director Dietmar Beiersdorfer.
The club did not provide any information about the exact new term. After 79 so far, Wittmann is only 16 competitive games short of Hasenhüttl’s mark and 43 games short of the previous FCI record. Jürgen Press, Ingolstadt’s first coach from 2004 to the end of 2007, was responsible for 122 games. To date, he also has the best points average of all FCI coaches who have been in office for at least ten competitive games; 1.81 points (all FCI trainers). Since her initial interim takeover from May 2024, Wittmann has had an average of 1.51 in 79 games. In the 3rd league, FC Ingolstadt under Wittmann has gotten rid of relegation worries this season and is in a secure eleventh place.
“Their authenticity, their clear idea of football and their consistent focus on the sustainable development of our team and our players are what sets them apart,” emphasized Beiersdorfer after the extension. “Due to her many years of work at FC Ingolstadt 04, she also brings with her an identification and responsibility for our club that is extraordinary. We are convinced that we will continue to take the next development steps with her in the future. It is therefore important to us to continue on the path with Sabrina and thus ensure continuity.” The FCI also announced the extension with Wittmann’s assistant Fabian Reichler, who had “executed excellent development” in his role as assistant coach.
Wittmann said about her extension: “Something very valuable has been created here, especially in the last few months. The basis of mutual trust, hard work and special cooperation is there. Now we want to further consolidate this stability and consistently continue on the path we have chosen. Because I enjoy working here incredibly much and I feel a great deal of trust in the club. Above all, I would like to emphasize the incredibly great collaboration with Didi Beiersdorfer, my coaching and staff team and the team. That’s why this contract extension just feels right on.”
