Overview
- Christian Dobrick, 29, the U19 coach at FC St. Pauli, publicly came out in interviews with Stern and RTL on Tuesday, becoming the first coach from a Bundesliga club's staff to do so.
- FC St. Pauli voiced full backing, with president Oke Göttlich personally assuring his support.
- Dobrick said gay men are still treated as “aliens” in the men’s pro game and described slurs and pressure to present a straight life as barriers to reaching the top.
- He credited a meeting with Jürgen Klopp for encouraging the step and urged others to be open, saying, “Jump in the cold water and swim.”
- Coverage notes there are still no openly gay active male players in Germany’s top three divisions, and highlights St. Pauli’s record on inclusion as context for the club’s swift support.