The Rise of Women's Football

Bianca Rech, who's been known to all as "Jay" since her playing days, returned to Bayern in September 2016. She'd previously worked as team manager at 1. FC Köln, where the midfielder ended her playing career. After three years in team management at the Munich club, the sports economics graduate was promoted to the position of sporting director in 2019. She was appointed head of section on 1 April 2023. She continued to work alongside Danner for the first three months before assuming sole responsibility on 1 July. Since she's been part of the management team, FCB Women have won the Women's Bundesliga title three times and have always finished in the top two, enabling them to take part in the Champions League every year. The team have also reached the final of the DFB Cup twice. As a player, "Jay" Rech made 95 competitive appearances for Bayern from 2006 to 2010, scoring 12 goals in the process. The 20-time Germany international won three league titles with 1. FFC Frankfurt as well as winning the UEFA Women's Cup, the forerunner of today's Champions League. She also played for SC 07 Bad Neuenahr and Swedish top-flight club Sunnanå SK. 

Mark Parsons is known as the former head coach of Portland Thorns FC and Netherlands national team. We're talking to him about his move to the US at the age of 24 to chase his dream of being a professional coach and what it's like to guide the legendary Portland Thorns.

Our todays guest is Laura Freigang - Professional Football Player for Eintracht Frankfurt and Germany Nationalteam, Entrepreneur and Fan Favorite.

Laura is talking to us about her personality, the challenges she had to face with her first photo book publication and where she sees women's football in the future.

Website: www.theriseofwomensfootball.com

Instagram: @theriseofwomensfootball

LinkedIn: The Rise of Women's Football

Our first guest is Dr. Holger Blask, Chairman of the Management Board at DFB. We are talking about his personal career path, his views on women's fooball development in general, DFB's strategy with the Frauen-Bundesliga and its application as host of the EURO 2029.