Christian Dobrick becomes first openly gay coach in professional football history

A decade after Hitzlsperger, Dobrick's courageous step challenges football's silence. His U19 team at FC St. Pauli responded with standing applause—will the sport finally change?

, and Administrator

2026 March 25 . 1:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows a book with a picture of a man kicking a soccer ball on the cover. The man is... — The image shows a book with a picture of a man kicking a soccer ball on the cover. The man is wearing a football uniform and has a determined expression on his face. The text on the book reads "Association Football by J.L. Jones".

Christian Dobrick becomes first openly gay coach in professional football history

Christian Dobrick, a 29-year-old football coach, has become the first openly gay manager at a professional club. He revealed his sexuality in March 2026, marking a rare moment in German football. His announcement follows years of silence from active players since Thomas Hitzlsperger came out in 2014. Dobrick currently manages the U19 team at FC St. Pauli, where he has worked for nearly a decade. Before this role, he coached at Holstein Kiel, TSG Hoffenheim, Red Bull Salzburg, and returned to St. Pauli. He holds a UEFA A License and leads his squad in the DFB Youth League's main round of League B.

On Monday evening, he told his team about his decision to come out. The players responded with applause, showing their support. His announcement stands out in German football, where no other active professional player has come out since Hitzlsperger. Globally, only a few players have done so in recent years. Josh Cavallo came out in 2021 but has faced daily death threats since. Jake Daniels followed in 2022 but is now without a club. Jakub Jankto, a former Czech international with 45 caps, came out in 2023. Alberto Lejárraga, playing for UD Sanse in Spain's fourth division, revealed his sexuality in 2025. Despite these cases, Dobrick remains the only openly gay coach in professional football.

Dobrick's decision highlights the ongoing lack of openly gay players in German football. His role as a coach at FC St. Pauli sets a new precedent in the sport. The reaction from his team suggests strong support, but the broader landscape remains slow to change.