A recent study by the nonprofit organization Fussball kann mehr, which examined all 36 clubs in Germany’s top two divisions, finds that male dominance remains entrenched in football management.
Male dominance persists
Overall, only nine women occupy the highest management positions across 94 roles, underscoring the scarcity of female leadership in the sport.
In the upcoming 2025‑26 season, four of the 18 new top‑management appointments were made to women, indicating modest growth but still far from parity.
Tatjana Haenni made history as the first female chief executive in the Bundesliga when she took the helm at RB Leipzig, while Nicole Kumpis stands as the sole female president among clubs in the elite divisions.
Looking ahead to Euro 2029
The Women’s Bundesliga operates independently from the German Football Association, yet coaching remains heavily male‑skewed, with only four of 14 teams led by women such as Katja Kraus.
Katja Kraus, co‑chair of FKM, warns that isolated advances mask deeper systemic barriers that continue to limit progress.
The report also notes that fewer than three percent of supervisory board members are non‑German, highlighting a lack of international diversity.
With Euro 2029 scheduled to be hosted in Germany, stakeholders hope the tournament will accelerate reforms and broaden representation across club structures.