Sabrina Wittmann's landmark tenure at FC Ingolstadt 04 has come to an end. The 35-year-old, who became the first woman to manage a professional men's team in Germany, was dismissed by the 3. Liga club just over two years after being formally appointed to the role.
The club confirmed her departure on Thursday following a difficult start to the 2026-2027 campaign. Ingolstadt have collected just eight points from their opening seven league games, leaving them 13th in the table, only four points clear of bottom side TSV Havelse.
Harald Gärtner, the club's managing director of sport and communications, explained the decision in a statement on Ingolstadt's website. "This step follows an intensive review of the team's sporting development over the past season and the results achieved so far in the 3. Liga," he said. "Against this backdrop, we consider a realignment necessary in order to provide new impetus for the tasks ahead. On a human and personal level, this decision was very difficult for us."
Gärtner added, "We thank Sabrina for her commitment and the time we spent together at FC Ingolstadt 04. We wish her all the best and much success for her future personal and professional path."
Wittmann released her own statement alongside the club's announcement. "I would have loved to continue and continue the journey with a team full of exceptional characters," she said. "Unfortunately, the necessary trust is no longer there, and the club has opted for a different solution. Ingolstadt was more than just any club to me. It was my home. It's where I grew up playing football and made so many special memories. The club, with all its people and staff, has become incredibly dear to me. I wish the club all the very best for the future."
A Rise Through the Ranks
Wittmann's path to the top job at Ingolstadt came through the club's youth setup, where she worked before being appointed Director of Football Development in the summer of 2023. She stepped in as interim manager after Michael Köllner's exit in May 2024, and two draws and two wins in that spell were enough to convince the club to give her the job full-time.
Her first season in charge ended with a 10th-place finish, before Ingolstadt slipped to 12th last season. Across her full tenure, Wittmann oversaw 40 wins, 24 draws and 33 losses, though the team had lost three of their last five matches in all competitions before her sacking.
What Comes Next
Ingolstadt have not named a replacement, saying only that their "succession plan" will be revealed "in due course." With the international break underway, the club's next fixture isn't until October 11, when they host SV Wehen Wiesbaden.
Founded in 2004, Ingolstadt have now gone through 22 different managers in as many years, a period that has seen them rise from the Bayernliga all the way to the Bundesliga between 2015 and 2017. This season marks their fourth in the 3. Liga since their last relegation in 2022.
