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New study shows German football remains male-dominated

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The nonprofit organization “Fussball kann mehr” (FKM –– Football Can Do More) has released its third report on diversity in professional German football. This time, all 36 teams in the top two divisions took part, and the results reveal a familiar tale of dominance. A revealing 29 of the 36 clubs have an all-male management team.

There was a noticeable increase in women in top management positions in the 2025-26 season though, with four of the 18 new appointments to top management positions being women. The previous season, only one of the 19 open positions at the time were filled by a woman. RB Leipzig’s Tatjana Haenni, who became the first female CEO in the Bundesliga in late 2025, is one of them. Nicole Kumpis of Eintracht Braunschweig remains the only female president of a club in the top two flights. Kathleen Krüger’s appointment at HSV came after the study’s cutoff, boosting the original numbers.

Only nine of the 94 positions at the highest management level are now held by women. The nine women are:

  • Tatjana Haenni, CEO at RB Leipzig
  • Luise Gottberg, vice president at St. Pauli
  • Hanna Obersteller vice president at St. Pauli 
  • Petra Saretz, executive board member at Heidenheim
  • Jennifer Zietz, managing director of women’s football at Union Berlin
  • Katharina Kienemann, executive committee member at Union Berlin
  • Svenja Schlenker, managing director of HR at Borussia Dortmund
  • Christina Rühl-Hamers, board member for finance, HR, and legal at Schalke
  • Anne-Kathrin Laufmann, managing director of sports & sustainability at Werder Bremen

Seen through a comparative lens, this is three more than the previous season. The only number lower than the number of women in management roles is the international diversification on supervisory boards – fewer than 3% of members are not German.

“We would love to report that the spirit of renewal exuded by these top executives is permeating German professional football and that the necessary transformation is in full swing,” Katja Kraus, co-chair of the FKM advisory board, said in a press release.

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“But progress remains slow; spectacular isolated cases and stagnation at the grassroots level are not mutually exclusive, but rather explain each other. Visible exceptions create an impression of progress that reduces the pressure on what is actually a sluggish structure.”

Katja Kraus
Katja Kraus believes football’s approach to diversity has a lot to learn from the business worldImage: Martin Hoffmann/Imago Images

Women’s football has untapped potential

Also addressed in the survey was women’s football. The Women’s Bundesliga’s decision to move away from the DFB and operate independently opens up new doors, especially for women looking to move into management positions. Currently though, men still dominate in the women’s game too, with only four of the 14 Women’s Bundesliga teams coached by women (Cologne, Union Berlin, Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim).

In the face of structural barriers for women in elite sport, the challenges remain in both men’s and women’s football. The hope is that in the years ahead, particularly with Euro 2029 being held in Germany, that German clubs will look to implement change when it comes to the diversity of their management.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 26 2026

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Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

North Queensland returns from a bye knowing a victory could secure its finals place, depending on Canterbury’s result against Penrith. The Cowboys last played in Round 24, when they were edged 32-30 by Parramatta, and the extra preparation should help after that demanding contest. Wests Tigers arrives with renewed belief following a 25-24 upset of the Roosters. Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai return for North Queensland, although Murray Taulagi is sidelined by concussion. The Tigers lose Alex Twal to concussion, with Sunia Turuva and Ethan Roberts included on the interchange. Wests dominated the Round 2 meeting 44-16 and carries genuine attacking threats, but the Cowboys’ rest advantage, home conditions and stronger finals motivation should allow their returning playmakers to dictate the decisive periods.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Teams

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Faaletino Tavana 21. Charlie Murray 22. Vaka Aho

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City Prediction and Betting Tips

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Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

  • In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
  • Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
  • The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
  • Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
  • Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City


Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

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Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals