Çağla Korkmaz is a former Turkish-German footballer and current football coach whose career spans both elite-level playing and coaching roles in Germany. With a deep commitment to player development and women’s football advancement, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her dual heritage, extensive playing experience, and leadership within grassroots and competitive football environments.
Education & Early Career
Born on November 14, 1990, in Munich, Germany, Çağla Korkmaz began her football journey in the youth setup of FFC Wacker München. Her early development in Germany’s well-structured football ecosystem helped her build a strong foundation in technical and tactical aspects of the game. After progressing through the youth ranks, she played for clubs such as FC Stern München 1919 and FC Ingolstadt 04, eventually establishing herself as a reliable defender.
Professional Playing Career
Korkmaz’s senior career included stints at prominent clubs such as 1. FC Lübars, VfL Wolfsburg II, TSV Schott Mainz, and SV Meppen. She combined defensive stability with leadership on and off the pitch, often praised for her discipline, game intelligence, and communication skills. Her performances at club level earned her a call-up to the Turkey women’s national team, where she represented the country between 2015 and 2018. During this period, she played in international competitions and qualifiers, contributing to the growing presence of Turkish women’s football on the global stage.
Transition to Coaching
Following her retirement from playing, Korkmaz made a seamless transition into coaching, driven by a desire to mentor the next generation of female players. In 2018–2019, she served as assistant coach for the SV Meppen U17 team, where she focused on youth development, match preparation, and fostering tactical awareness. Since July 2021, she has taken on the role of head coach at her former club FFC Wacker München, becoming one of the few female Turkish-German coaches leading a team in the German football pyramid.
Leadership & Philosophy
Korkmaz’s coaching approach emphasizes discipline, mutual respect, and individual growth within a team-oriented structure. Drawing on her own playing experiences across various competitive levels, she is known for prioritizing player confidence, technical improvement, and emotional intelligence. She advocates for equal opportunities in football and is committed to raising the visibility of women in leadership roles across the sport.
Vision for Women’s Football
As a bilingual professional who navigates both Turkish and German football cultures, Korkmaz serves as a bridge between two systems. She frequently speaks about the importance of institutional support, quality coaching education, and international exposure for young female athletes. Her long-term ambition includes contributing to the development of structured pathways for girls in football and inspiring more women to take up coaching and executive positions in the sport.
Our Exclusive Interview with Çağla Korkmaz
Who is Çağla Korkmaz outside of football?
I’d say I’m the same person on the pitch as I am off it. For me, it’s really important to stay true to who you are in everyday life. If someone were to describe me, I’d say, above all, I’m a mom. I’m deeply family-oriented, I come from a big family, I value harmony, and I love spending time with friends and family doing all sorts of activities. That’s who I am off the pitch, and I try to carry those same values into my game.
What philosophies guide your leadership as a coach?
The coaching philosophy I follow is a fascinating topic because I believe every coach has their own vision of football, their own style and tactical ideas. The real challenge, however, lies in aligning that vision with the qualities of the team. Not every philosophy suits every group of players, and I experienced that firsthand. Over time, I realized my football philosophy is clear, and I am determined to teach it because of my own career. But more importantly, I see coaching as being a figure of respect, someone who pushes players to grow personally as well. If you can get your team to understand and execute your football idea within a framework grounded in strong values and clear communication, that is the ideal match plan. So, in short, my philosophy combines a defined game model with open, transparent, and developmental leadership.
How do you balance short-term match demands with long-term player development?
Balancing short-term game demands with long-term player development is something I find very challenging, especially in the amateur sector. In professional environments, it might be slightly easier, but time is still limited for preparation and reflection. Many decisions need to be made quickly, but I believe having a clear concept and sticking to your principles is key. I always remind my players that a match or a single performance does not define them. Ninety minutes do not determine their value or overall development. It is important to maintain perspective, trust the process, and treat each game or training session as just one moment in a much bigger picture. When players understand that there is a consistent guiding philosophy behind the work, it becomes easier to handle short-term challenges without losing sight of long-term growth – both in football and personal development.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Funny enough, I never planned on becoming a coach, certainly not so spontaneously or so soon after my professional playing career. But that’s how it happened. If I had to pinpoint the reason, I would say it’s my board, both my former and current one, particularly Salih, with whom I still work. We were both in the right place at the right time, and together we made the decision to make that change. He was the one who decided I would become a coach at WACKER. So, I would say Salih has been the biggest influence on my coaching career so far. Looking back, I can say he had a significant impact on my career. As a player, my former coach at BSC in the 2nd league also had a lasting effect. He was a great person who represented the values I want to embody both as a person and as a coach. He was a major influence on why I decided to enter professional football. So, I would say Jürgen Franz also played a key role in shaping my path.
What kind of books or topics do you enjoy in your personal time?
I’m going to be brutally honest – I don’t like reading, so I’m not going to pretend that I read intellectual stuff or anything like that. I just don’t enjoy it. What I do engage with, however, is everything related to sports. I’m really into anything that has to do with sports. I’m also very interested in politics and the economy, especially because my job connects to those areas. I work in the energy sector, and staying informed about global events is essential. Those are the only two areas where I really dive in, but I don’t read in the traditional sense.
What does a typical workday look like during the season?
If I look at a typical Monday, it’s a match day plus, the start of the week. The first thing I do is have a discussion with my coaching colleague about how the weekend went and how the game went. We dive straight into post-match analysis while also preparing for the week ahead and the upcoming match. This includes training preparation, video analysis of the previous game, and opponent analysis for the next match. We also handle all the organizational tasks throughout the week, including filling in forms and having necessary conversations – anything related to the team and the coaching staff. Then, of course, we have the training itself. Often, after training, the day isn’t over; we’ll have internal meetings with the players, talks with the coaching team, or discussions with the club until all the post-training work is done. Only then, if everything goes well, I finally get some sleep. That’s how I would describe a typical workday during the week.
How do you manage team dynamics in a multicultural environment?
I believe there is no right or wrong approach. Everyone has to figure out for themselves, as a coach, how to lead a team. You are in a leadership position, responsible not only for your players but also for your coaching staff and everyone who works with you. For me, it’s quite simple, and that’s why I don’t find it difficult. As I mentioned earlier, I’m very open, communicative, direct, and I clearly represent and stand by my values. If you provide the players with a framework in which they can operate, where they know exactly what is allowed, what they want, and where goals and respect are key, then in the end, it’s all about football. Once everyone speaks the same language, whether young or old, German or not, and understands their roles, it works. We bring humanity into the equation. Transparent and authentic leadership is crucial to creating a connection with the players. At the end of the day, it’s football, but we are still human beings, and with people come conflicts. If you can manage that and earn the respect of your players and coaching team, it works well. It becomes a harmonious leadership. Even though, on the pitch, we speak a different language, not just “please” and “thank you,” if you can distinguish between the human side and the coach side, and make it clear to the team that one is your job and the other is personal, you can navigate those dynamics. If you consistently instill these values and keep reinforcing them, managing the team becomes much easier, even with many different personalities. You can see the result in the loyalty of the team—players who’ve been with you for years—and also in the club’s support, which has been with you for years. That’s a sign you’re doing things right. I can only recommend this approach.
What’s next for you in your professional journey?
I would say that, internally, my goal is definitely to get promoted to the second Bundesliga with my club. That is very clear to me. Personally, my goal is to complete all the necessary licenses I need, including eventually earning the Pro license, if everything goes as planned. My ultimate aim is to reach the Bundesliga, and to achieve that, I want to take it step by step.