The trainer
Högner is one of the constants in the Essen Bundesliga women’s soccer team, to which he switched to coaching in 2010. The 55-year-old was also an assistant coach for the German women’s national team and for successful league rivals VfL Wolfsburg, but has been in command on the Essen sidelines since 2019.
He seems to have a good hand, especially when it comes to developing talent. The way to staying up in the league also leads through them: “Our concept for this remains the same. As a talent development tower, we remain one, if not the top address for talent” says Hogner.
expectations for the season
The game community’s goal for the season is hardly surprising after the long tremors of the past season: “After staying up late, we now want to be able to stay up earlier and then we want to climb up the table“, says Högner. He is in good spirits that this will succeed: “We have a broader roster with different player types that allow us to react to opponents and fuel team competition week after week.“
A “clear three-year plan“, whereby Högner sees Essen above all as a funding location. Current national players such as Sara Doorsoun, Jana Feldkamp, Linda Dallmann, Nicole Anyomi, Marina Hegering, Lea Schüller and Lena Oberdorf show how well this works, even if they are now all for other clubs to play.