FC Bayern has long been the measure of all things, and BVB and FC Schalke 04 have also become increasingly involved in women’s football in recent years. However, manager legend Willi Wißing is critical of the work of the major clubs and the entire development.
“Women’s football has lost its identity,” the 73-year-old rumbled in the “WAZ”.
Wißing, who is considered the father of the previous success at the Bundesliga relegated SGS Essen, added: “For years, the aim has been for an alleged professionalization here, but that only consists of increasing the staff and pumping in money. We are developing more and more in the direction of men’s football, with all its disadvantages.”
According to Wißing, only very few clubs would be in the black. “For them, women’s football is a subsidized business.”
Schalke and Borussia Dortmund from the immediate Essen neighborhood are pushing their way up with might.
BVB brought coach Markus Högner from SGS in 2025. Most recently, top scorer Ramona Maier followed, who will now be wearing black and yellow alongside superstar Alexandra Popp.
“So far, neither S04 nor BVB have done anything for women’s football,” said Wißing.
FC Bayern and Co. involved in “human trafficking”.
The long-time Essen official is also extremely critical of the fact that talent from smaller clubs are moving to larger clubs ever earlier, including series champions FC Bayern, who are strengthening themselves for the coming season with SGS gem Kassandra Potsi.
“Counselors are now approaching 15- and 16-year-old girls and offering them to other clubs. This is modern human trafficking,” Wißing made clear.
The ex-official is also annoyed by the fact that “his” SGS team completely fell apart after relegation.
“Some people already said in the winter: If I go downhill, I’ll leave,” says Wißing. Many players, “as they say in the Ruhr area, don’t have the stomach to take on the challenge of promotion now.”
