The World Cup podium belongs to the women: Down with the Zambian sex coach

But that’s where the irritation begins: 20 of the 32 teams have men as head coaches on the sidelines. That still points to mansplaining in football. And among these men are seemingly ridiculous figures like Zambian Bruce Mwape. The 63-year-old reportedly has sex with his players whenever he feels like it. And the players have to accept that because they will be punished if they say something. Mwape is now under investigation over violent anonymous allegations, but he has been sidelined as a Zambian Luschen zampano during the World Cup. FIFA now speaks of “alleged incidents”.

It is a pity that the male coaches are in the majority at this World Cup as well. I already wrote about guys like Hervé Renard (54), the French coach, during the World Cup in Qatar. When the clever mid-fifties sensationally defeated eventual world champions Argentina as head coach with the Saudis.

The coaches must be central

But the women are more important. For example, Inka Grings, who wants to coach Switzerland in honor of the World Cup. The 44-year-old German, herself a two-time European champion as a player, knows the signal effect of this major event regarding the EM 2025 in Switzerland and the future of this sport in general. Major events such as the World Cup, European Championships or the Olympic Games create role models for future generations. It takes myths, stories of heroines, games with a rich history and lived rivalries to give women’s football the dimension it aspires to.

To begin with, we introduce Beverly Priestman (37). Born in Consett southwest of Newcastle, the young woman has already attracted attention at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The way in which the Canadians managed to reach the final caused great surprise at the time. They triumphed against top teams such as Great Britain, Japan, Brazil and the USA and faced the favored Swedes in the final, which was ultimately decided in a penalty shootout. The game had no viewers due to the pandemic, but the excitement made up for what was missing.

Because you can’t get more drama in a penalty kick thriller. Canada missed three of the first four penalties, went into the abyss several times and miraculously won anyway. The 35-year-old coach sprinted across the field, arms in the air, celebrating the biggest win of her young career. In the winner’s interview, however, she did not burst into tears because she couldn’t believe her happiness. Instead, “Bev” Priestman said maybe they could have done better.

And later she already added the new goal. It will be difficult to achieve even more sporting fame and the World Cup mountain will be higher than any other before,” but I don’t want to be a coach who only wins once. I want to win everything.” Impressive words for a young coach.

After the relegation we go to Canada

After the 2019 World Cup, where as assistant to head coach Phil Neville (46), she successfully helped coach England’s women to the semi-finals of the World Cup, the English association was restructured and Priestman was almost expelled to youth. She fell into an orientation crisis, feeling “grounded”, bereft of her professional dreams and goals, but did not lose confidence in her own abilities and bounced back, more purposeful than ever.

Then the call came from Canada and in 2020 she got the chance to become a head coach, which she always wanted to be. It was the start of a remarkable climb. The enormous skepticism with which the English was received abroad turned into pure enthusiasm at the sensational Olympic success. In Australia and New Zealand, the Canadians are now among the favorites in the battle for the world title.

Next Thursday you get the next steep pass. By then, the national team will have already played two World Cup group matches and the Super League will have started the season.