Katharina Kiel, born on May 2, 1992, in Northeim, Germany, is a distinguished football executive and former professional player. Standing at 1.75 meters, she played as a midfielder in the Frauen-Bundesliga before transitioning into football management.
Playing Career
Kiel’s football journey began in the youth ranks of 1. FFC Frankfurt, where she progressed to the second team, making 32 appearances and scoring seven goals between 2008 and 2013.
In 2013, she briefly played for SC 07 Bad Neuenahr and its second team. Later that year, she joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where she played until 2016, including 25 appearances for the first team in the Bundesliga. Her playing career was marked by resilience, overcoming a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined her for a significant period.
Transition to Management and Entrepreneurship
After retiring from professional play, Kiel pursued a career in sports management and innovation. In 2019, she founded talentZONE GmbH, a sports tech startup specializing in analyzing and evaluating running movements to enhance athletic performance. Her entrepreneurial venture reflects her commitment to integrating technology and sports science to advance athlete development.
Educational Background
Kiel holds a First State Examination in Teaching for Gymnasia, specializing in Sports and Spanish, from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt (2015–2019). She furthered her expertise by completing the Executive Program “Management in Professional Football” offered by the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) between 2021 and 2023, which included practical work shadowing experiences.
Role at Eintracht Frankfurt
In November 2022, Kiel was appointed as the Technical Director of Eintracht Frankfurt Women. Her responsibilities encompass overseeing first and second team operations, strategic planning, infrastructure projects, and youth development programs. Under her leadership, the club has emphasized long-term growth and sustainability, aligning infrastructure and strategic vision with the evolving demands of modern football. In recognition of her impactful work, she extended her contract with Eintracht Frankfurt until June 30, 2028.
Involvement in Football Governance
Beyond her club duties, Kiel actively contributes to football governance at national and European levels. She serves as an elected member of the European Club Association (ECA) Women’s Football Working Group, collaborating with representatives from top clubs to shape the future of women’s football in Europe.
Advocacy and Vision
Kiel is a vocal advocate for gender equality in football management. Her vision includes fostering inclusive leadership and leveraging innovation to drive the growth of women’s football.
Conclusion
Katharina Kiel’s multifaceted career from professional athlete to entrepreneur and executive, demonstrates her dedication to advancing football through innovation, strategic leadership, and advocacy for inclusivity. Her contributions continue to shape the landscape of women’s football, both in Germany and across Europe.
Our Exclusive Interview with Katharina Kiel
What was your first memory of football and how did it shape your passion for the game?
My first memory of football is the image of it happening outside a front door: goals made from school satchels, a soccer ball from the petrol station, and a handful of boys from the neighborhood playing with a lot of fun and passion. I joined in and was accepted without any resentment because there seemed to be only one rule that mattered: performance. The boys rang my doorbell every day to pick me up for football, so I must have performed pretty well. This environment not only ignited my passion but also shaped who I am today. This sport is more than a passion to me. It is a calling.
When did you first realize that you wanted to work in football professionally, not just as a fan or player, but as a leader?
On May 19, 2012, during the Champions League final between FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC. Chelsea won on penalties with Didier Drogba. One of the club’s leaders was Marina Granovskaia. She was regarded as the Iron Lady, the mastermind behind the scenes, and one of Chelsea FC’s most important managers. That moment deeply impressed me and proved that it is absolutely possible to work as a woman in professional football and to do so very successfully. She became my role model and inspired my ambition to work in football at the highest level.
What personal qualities do you believe helped you the most on your path to becoming a technical director?
In addition to ambition and discipline, I believe my courage played the biggest role. I never question whether I can do something. I simply do it. I do not try to convince people with words. I convince with actions. I do not focus on problems. I focus on finding solutions. I also believe in the strength of a good team. I have no difficulty delegating responsibility, as long as roles are clearly defined and aligned with the bigger picture.
Who or what had the biggest influence on your journey, inside or outside football?
There have been several people who supported and encouraged me. One of them is my father, who gave me confidence and courage from an early age. When I was 12, I had to move cars and equipment on his farm, without any formal qualifications like a driving license. He told me to watch him once and then do it myself. That taught me to take action without overthinking. I also learned a lot from Christian Seifert, who became a strong motivator in my football career. He remains a close advisor who always sees the big picture while never losing sight of the individual. Markus Krösche is another key influence. He includes me in his work but always gives me the freedom to follow my own path.
What drives you every day in your current role? What is your why?
I work in an industry that does not yet stand on its own. Women’s football still operates in many ways as a dependency of men’s football. My greatest drive is to develop this sport into a self-sustaining, independent ecosystem. I love creating something new. My current role allows me to do just that. It is not just a personal mission. It is a privilege.
What does success mean to you, both professionally and personally?
For me, success means contributing to the creation of something meaningful. That might be winning titles or building a professional environment where football can thrive. I want to create spaces and moments that leave a lasting impression. Success means improving every place I work in and leaving it better than I found it. In my personal life, I feel successful when I have people beside me who share the journey and can look back with pride and joy.
How do you personally deal with pressure, setbacks, or criticism in a high-performance environment?
I go all in. It can be painful, but it is a valuable process. I never act without a solid basis for my decisions, which helps me accept the outcomes more easily. I am direct
and tough, but I also move on quickly and try to take lessons from each experience. You have to suffer through difficult situations a few times to build that resilience. Repeating that process makes you more thoughtful and calm. In this context, time and maturity are valuable allies.
What has been your proudest moment in your football journey and why?
Helping to lead a club community at a higher level and contributing to transforming the women’s football landscape in Germany stands out the most. This journey is more meaningful than almost anything else I have done. It is a creative mission that can influence future generations. Being part of it and leading the way is an incredible honor.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years and what legacy would you like to leave in women’s football?
I see myself in a place where creativity and design are at the forefront again. I want to leave behind a legacy of meaningful change, independence, and professionalism in women’s football. I hope to help build a structure that others can benefit from for years to come.
Finally, what is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Before my football career, I was a successful figure skater. That experience shaped me deeply and gave me tools I could not have learned in team sports.
