Borussia Dortmund backs women's football push with elite signings and new facilities

Borussia Dortmund is mounting an aggressive campaign to elevate its women’s team from the German third division, anchored by the high-profile signings of goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger and Germany legend Alexandra Popp. The club is currently holding its pre-season training camp in Austria, plotting a return to promotion contention after missing out by two points last season despite a goal difference of plus-101.

This recruitment drive represents a calculated financial and structural bet by one of Europe’s most recognizable sports brands. Managing director Svenja Schlenker acknowledged that reaching the Frauen-Bundesliga will require significant capital, noting that the club must spend heavily to compete with nations that are currently further ahead in developing the women's game.

Zinsberger, 30, left Arsenal at the end of last season to join the third-tier side, a move she attributed to family considerations and the club’s clear strategic vision. "The vision of the club, where they are now, where they want to be, what my role would be in that, and coming out of my comfort zone was a big part of it," she explained.

The club’s ambitions are further underscored by the appointment of Ralf Kellermann, the longtime sporting director of Wolfsburg, to the same role at Dortmund. Schlenker highlighted that bringing in such experienced figures is crucial for a squad that began in the seventh division and is still navigating the complexities of rapid upward mobility.

Beyond player acquisition, Dortmund is committing to long-term capital expenditure by constructing a dedicated training facility adjacent to its men’s campus. Schlenker stated that building this infrastructure is essential to creating a sustainable environment for the squad. Zinsberger echoed this priority, stating, "We need the right infrastructure to build for the next generations."

The push comes at a time when German clubs are seeking to close the commercial and competitive gap with leagues in England. Zinsberger observed that while a potential future matchup between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund would naturally draw significant viewership, the domestic league must first elevate its overall standards to match international rivals.

No German team has won the Women’s Champions League since 2015, highlighting a broader stagnation at the continent's highest level. Dortmund’s strategy of combining elite recruitment with heavy infrastructural investment offers a blueprint for how traditional football giants intend to capture market share in the rapidly expanding European women’s sports economy.