Rapid Coach Katja Gürtler: 'There will be more resistance in the Bundesliga, on and off the pitch'

Katja Gürtler, head coach of the Rapid Wien women's team, is set to lead her squad into their historic Bundesliga premiere against Vienna on Sunday. Gürtler, who grew up in Vienna and was a football enthusiast, never imagined playing for Rapid in her youth, as the club lacked a women's department. "It was a completely different football world back then, one in which I neither felt anger nor disappointment that there was no women's department at the traditional Vienna club," she recalled.

Since the official launch of Rapid's women's section in 2023, Gürtler has guided the team's ascent from the third division to the top league. The 37-year-old former national player found her calling in coaching after attending a shortened training course for professional players following the birth of her first son. "That's when I realized I enjoyed it," she said.

Looking ahead to the Bundesliga debut, Gürtler expressed excitement, noting a sense of relief compared to the previous season. "The anticipation is great, and I feel that we are not as tense as last season," she stated. While acknowledging Rapid's underdog status as a newly promoted team, she understands the club's high expectations. "Of course, the pressure and expectations are there, but we also know that as a women's department in our first season, we have to aim for smaller goals first," Gürtler explained.

Her vision for the team extends beyond results; she prioritizes performance and attractive play. "That we represent Rapid well with the way we play and offer the fans attractive football," she emphasized. Gürtler's journey with Rapid began earlier when she worked in the club's marketing department and was part of a working group exploring women's football before taking parental leave in 2018. The Bundesliga debut represents a significant milestone in her coaching career and for the Rapid Wien women's program.