Research: Women scarcely occupy senior roles in football's elite echelons

Research: Women scarcely occupy senior roles in football's elite echelons

In the world of German football, a persistent issue of gender inequality in leadership roles has come to light. According to a recent analysis by Football Can Do More (FKM), women hold only about 6% of top management positions in men's first and second division clubs, marking a decline from the previous year's 7.1%[1][3].

This low representation, despite the rising popularity and success of women's football in Germany, highlights systemic barriers that are yet to be overcome. Alexander Wehrle, chairman of the board of VfB Stuttgart, acknowledges that the current numbers show they are not yet where they want to be in terms of gender equality[1]. The need for more women in leadership positions is also emphasized by multiple functionaries of Bundesliga clubs[1].

One key initiative aimed at addressing this issue is the "Future Leaders in Football" programme organized by the German Football Association (DFB). Now in its fifth year as of 2025, this workshop targets young, talented women working in various football-related roles, equipping them with leadership skills, inspiring confidence, and fostering greater gender equality in football management[2]. The programme also features prominent female role models from international football to motivate participants.

However, the progress remains slow. The supervisory boards of the 36 German first and second division clubs have 28 women (10.3%) in 271 positions[1]. In the 2024/2025 season, out of 100 leadership positions, only six are held by women[1]. The FKM survey is based on the AllBright reports, which regularly analyze the composition of the boards and supervisory boards of DAX corporations[1].

The report states that the structure of top management in German football shows a clear picture. Typically, top managers are male, German, and around 50 years old, with an academic education[1]. A previous career as a professional footballer is not part of the classic profile for top management in German football[1].

Katja Kraus, co-chairwoman of FKM, states that the analysis is not about assigning blame, but football is a results-oriented sport and positive discussions and efforts for change have not yet resulted in corresponding numbers[1]. Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) commented that with 6 percent women in top management, Bundesliga clubs perform significantly worse than comparable small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany[1].

Fernando Carro, managing director of Bayer Leverkusen, emphasizes the importance of diversity for their organization and society as a whole, and acknowledges there is still structural work to be done in football[1]. Axel Hellmann, board spokesman of Eintracht Frankfurt, wants more women in leadership positions in football and believes it requires support and drive from club members and fans[1].

The report was conducted by the organization "Football Can Do More" (FKM) and based on surveys of all 36 clubs in the 1st and 2nd divisions of the previous season[1]. Katja Kraus, being the first woman to join the board of a football Bundesliga club, having done so at Hamburger SV in 2003[1], serves as a testament to the potential for change. On average, top managers have held their current leadership position for 5.6 years and have been working full-time at the club for 8.6 years[1].

References:

[1] "Football Can Do More" (FKM) report, 2025. [2] DFB's "Future Leaders in Football" programme, 2025. [3] "The Guardian", German football's gender problem: the 6% of women in top management, 2025.

1. The persisting gender inequality in leadership roles within German football, as evidenced by a recent study by Football Can Do More (FKM), has been a pressing concern, with women occupying only about 6% of top management positions in men's first and second division clubs.
2. In light of the decline from the previous year's 7.1%, the lack of female representation in leadership roles, despite the growing popularity and success of women's football in Germany, underscores systemic barriers that need to be dismantled.
3. One attempt to address this issue is the "Future Leaders in Football" program run by the German Football Association (DFB), which aims to equip young, talented women working in various football-related roles with leadership skills, foster confidence, and promote gender equality in football management.
4. Despite initiatives like the "Future Leaders in Football" program, progress remains slow, with only six out of 100 leadership positions in the 2024/2025 season being occupied by women, according to the FKM report based on the AllBright reports, which analyze the composition of the boards and supervisory boards of DAX corporations.

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