Rising to the Landesliga and increasing importance in the club

Even days later, Jürgen Fuchs can still be seen. « Now I’m solved, » says the 53-year-old. In winter he had got involved As a coach to get in with the FC Augsburg footballers. In the short term, the previous coach Matthias Simon had resigned from his post for private reasons. Fuchs knew that the task could become challenging for him. The team had overwintered as the leaders and wanted to claim the top position until the end of the season. In addition, the experienced amateur football coach entered new territory: he had never looked after a team of women before. Ultimately, everything went according to plan, with a 3-0 derby victory at TSV Pfersee, the FCA soccer players made the climb perfect. « We didn’t have on the note that we would make the march, » said Fuchs. « I take the hat how my players did. »

The FCA women were a year ago from the district league from the district leagueNow move up to the Landesliga. A decade ago they belonged to this league, but this time the success seems to be more sustainable. Because within the club, the importance of the footballers has increased in the recent past. This can be seen not least in changed structures and additional staff. While women’s football was neglected for years and it was not clear which line of the FCA was pursuing, the funding is now more clearly defined.

FCA chooses a different way than VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund

The FCA tries the balancing act between sporting ambitions as well as width and recreational sports. On the one hand, the club is now in a six -figure amount in the development of women’s football, on the other hand, the work is based on voluntary work by the trainers and supervisors. « They all know that organic growth is in the foreground for us, » emphasizes FCA President Markus Krapf. When the women in the fan pub at the WWK-Arena celebrated their climb, he was there. He makes it clear: « Models like in Stuttgart or Dortmundwho want to lead women’s football to the Bundesliga with a lot of money or licensing, will not be the way of the FCA. ”

Over the years, the women’s Bundesliga has become more and more a decal by the men’s Bundesliga. FC Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt or RB Leipzig also frolic in the female league. FCA managing director Michael Ströll already described the coming up with a high financial effort « Sometimes a bit artificial ». At the same time, the FCA in the region has an uncomfortable radiance, the club is linked to expectations. Krapf emphasizes: « It was important for me from the first day of my presidency that everyone knows our direction and ambitions within our women’s department. »

FCA and TSV Schwaben Augsburg only separates a league from each other

In 2006 the FCA founded its women’s football department, but always moved in underclass women’s football. After climbing and climbing, the team is now back in the fifth-class national league. In the eight -seven league system – with the Bundesliga at the top – the FCA continues to separate less leagues from the lower one than from the upper end. In Augsburg, TSV Schwaben remains a leader. Since Swabia has moved off and the FCA has risen, the clubs only separate a league from each other next season. FCA trainer Fuchs avoids an explanation. « Swabia was always number one, » he emphasizes instead. But whether that stays the case in the long term?

The FCA is noticeable. He regularly organizes taster and sighting days, to which up to 50 players appear. In the meantime, the club has occupied all age groups with young teams, the C-Juniors recently won the championship in the district league. Nine players are introduced to the women’s area from the U17. In the medium term, the young talent should be positive, at short notice Fuchs calculates with little changes in the women’s team. After the ascent, he continues to focus on a broad squad that does not characterize individual skills, but enthusiasm, will and passion. « I just enjoy working with the girls, » said Fuchs.