Laura Lücker, born on March 17, 1999, is a former professional footballer and a rising figure in German football management. She began her football journey at the Carl-von-Weinberg Sports School in Frankfurt, where she completed both her Realschule and Abitur with a focus on sport and biology. As a goalkeeper, she played for MSV Duisburg during the 2018–2019 season and continued her career at 1. FC Nürnberg until 2023. Her playing style was marked by strong positional awareness and leadership in the backline, traits that later translated into her off-pitch career.
Parallel to her playing career, she pursued a degree in Business Management with a focus on Sport at Campus M University, graduating in 2024 with a final grade of 1.9. She also gained early professional experience through internships and short-term work in the healthcare sector, which provided her with a disciplined and service-oriented approach to team management.
After retiring from professional play, Lücker transitioned into administrative roles within football. She began as a working student in team management at 1. FC Nürnberg, where she was responsible for coordinating team logistics and supporting the coaching staff. In July 2024, she was promoted to Organisational Lead of the women’s team, overseeing daily operations, player support systems, and internal coordination across departments.
Laura Lücker is part of a new generation of former athletes moving into leadership roles within the sport. Her ability to bridge the player experience with structured operational insight positions her as a key figure in the professionalization of women’s football in Germany. With a deep understanding of both the athletic and business dimensions of the game, she continues to shape the future of club football from the inside.
Our Exclusive Interview with Laura Lücker
Who is Laura Lücker beyond your roles as a former player and current football operations leader?
Beyond my role as the Organizational Lead at 1. FC Nürnberg and my time as a player, I’m someone who genuinely cares about the people around me. I try to be helpful and always have an open ear. Since it’s hard to describe myself, I asked a few friends. They see me as reliable, funny, and someone who is always up for anything and does everything for others. Being dependable is also something I bring to my job. Most of all, I’m a family person. I love spending time at home with my family and my two dogs. My friends are just as important and I enjoy spending quality time with them.
What motivated your shift from playing professionally to building a career behind the scenes in club management?
Unfortunately, a knee injury and several surgeries forced me to end my playing career. I always loved being around my teammates and close to the team. When I was asked if I could imagine working in team management, I didn’t hesitate. It allowed me to stay connected to football and remain involved with the team even without playing. Football has always been a major part of my life, and I couldn’t imagine walking away from it completely.
How do you see your role contributing to the growth and professionalization of women’s football at 1. FC Nürnberg?
My focus is on improving and simplifying organizational processes so that the team can fully focus on football. I want everything outside the pitch to run as smoothly as possible. This is especially important for new players, so they can settle in easily and concentrate on their performance.
Can you share more about the evolution of your responsibilities from player to Organizational Lead within the same club?
The role is completely different from being a player. Now it’s all about what happens off the field. At the beginning, I had to find my way and grow into the position. The club gave me a lot of trust from the start, which helped me take on more responsibilities quickly. Over time, I developed into the Organizational Lead. At first, I had to ask a lot of questions because I was still inexperienced, but now that I’ve completed my studies, I can fully focus on my job.
What challenges have you faced as a young leader in a traditionally male-dominated football environment?
Thanks to the trust I received from the club and the strong position of women’s football in Nürnberg, I didn’t face any challenges because of my age or gender. I was recognized early on for stepping into this role at a young age, and that support helped a lot.
Looking ahead, what are your personal ambitions for your career in football and the impact you hope to make?
I’m still very young at 26 and have a long career ahead of me. My goal is to keep growing both as a person and as an Organizational Lead. Football is fast-paced and you have to be ready for anything. I’m open to the future and excited for what’s to come.
