Based in Austria for a pre-season training camp, Borussia Dortmund’s women’s players and staff are preparing another push for promotion to the 2. Bundesliga after narrowly falling short during last season’s swift ascent.
Dortmund ended the campaign only two points behind the leaders and missed a spot in the regional playoffs despite recording a remarkable goal difference of +101. Determined to avoid another close call, the club quickly recruited several high-profile names.
Managing director Svenja Schlenker says: “We have brought in excellent players and created a strong environment. Manuela, would you agree?” She is speaking to Manuela Zinsberger, the Austrian goalkeeper formerly with Bayern Munich and Arsenal. Together with Germany great Alexandra Popp, Zinsberger is one of two major summer arrivals at the third-tier club, underlining Dortmund’s determination to progress.
“Absolutely,” Zinsberger says. “I’m excited about the coming season and our opening fixtures, so everything feels very positive.” Many were surprised when the 30-year-old chose to leave Arsenal at the end of last season and move into Germany’s third division, but several factors shaped her decision. “Family considerations played a part, as did the discussions I had with Svenja,” she says.
“The club’s vision, its current position, its future plans and the role I could play were all important. I also wanted to leave my comfort zone and test myself through a different kind of challenge.
“Those discussions were very encouraging. We talked about the club’s identity, how my experience could benefit the squad and how I could help turn our written objectives into reality. Dortmund is operating impressively. For a third-tier team, the standards across the club, coaching staff and infrastructure are already very high. The ambition is clear, and the investment in women’s football makes me delighted to be here.”
Dortmund are open about their long-term targets. Given the club’s stature, it is understandable that they hope eventually to compete with Bayern, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga. Their development could also strengthen the women’s game throughout Germany, whose clubs have not lifted the Champions League trophy since 2015.
“Reaching that level will require substantial investment, and in one sense that is perfectly acceptable, although it is difficult to predict what the next few years will bring,” Schlenker says. “Some other countries are further ahead. For now, our attention remains on the third division, and later we will assess what must be done over the following seasons.”
“A fixture between Bayern and Borussia would immediately attract interest, but we must earn the opportunity to play it,” Zinsberger says. “We have taken the first steps. Our responsibility now is to become a united team and deliver results. Overall, Germany remains slightly behind England, so we need to keep driving the game forward.”
Schlenker believes the appointments of Zinsberger, Popp and former longtime Wolfsburg sporting director Ralf Kellermann clearly demonstrate the scale of Dortmund’s plans. “We are thrilled that Manuela and Alexandra are here, along with Ralf,” she says. “They offer Borussia Dortmund an enormous amount of experience. We began in the seventh tier, which means every season brings unfamiliar situations. Not everyone here has encountered what they have, so we draw on their knowledge to improve each day.”
“Svenja and Ralf maintain a close relationship with the squad, which is extremely valuable,” Zinsberger says. “They speak with us regularly about areas where we can develop. That connection matters because making the right decisions is much harder when you are distant from the players.
“We have objectives within the club, but our focus is always on the next match. Our task is to try to win every fixture, which reflects the club’s expectations. No opponent can be treated with less importance than another. We must approach each game determined to succeed and hope that this produces the outcome we want at the end of the season.”
Dortmund’s plans extend beyond results on the pitch. Schlenker explains: “We intend to construct a dedicated training centre beside the men’s complex. I have spoken with many players, and facilities and infrastructure are consistently important to them. I have worked extremely hard on this project because I want to provide every player with an outstanding second home.”
“Everyone needs an income and has expenses to cover, but suitable infrastructure is essential if we want to create opportunities for future generations,” Zinsberger says. “I’m delighted that this is being developed here.”
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