Ex-Germany keeper says she found no new club because she is a mother
Ex-Germany keeper says she found no new club because she is a mother
Former Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult poses for a photo ahead of the UEFA Women's Nations League soccer match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Former Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult has said that footballers who have become mothers still have a hard time finding new clubs in Europe, which contributed to the decision to end her career.
"I believe that was the main reason why the talks faltered," Schult told Kicker sports magazine.
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The 34-year-old said she had offers from top clubs, but only as third choice and added that "the competition would not have been open."
Schult, who is now pregnant with her fourth child, announced the end of her career in March. She last played at US club Kansas City Current until December 2024.
She said "it is still not normal in Europe that women's footballers have children. Whether the clubs admit to it or not, but that's simply my subjective impression.
"Many clubs fear that there could be adversity and difficulties with mothers.
"I was already without a contract after my second pregnancy. No club believed that I could still help, even though I had already proven it after my first pregnancy."
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Schult said the situation was better in the US where she first played for three months at Angel City in 2022, before a brief return to Germany at second tier SV Hamburg and the final engagement at the Kansas City Current.
"My career would probably have been different in recent years if I had had the same support as I did in the USA," Schult said.
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