Silvia Neid

Midfielder Silvia Neid was a member of the German female football squad that was eliminated in the group stage at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was a World Cup runner-up in 1995, and European Champion in 1989, 1991, and 1995. Neid won 111 international caps and scored 48 goals. She was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award, in 2007. In May 1988 she scored the “Goal of the Month” on German TV channel ARD. She was considered to one of the most successful female German soccer players ever.

Domestically, Neid played with SC Klinge Seckach (1980-83), SSG 09 Bergisch Gladbach (1983-85), and TSV Siegen /1985-96). In 1999, 2001-03, 2005, and 2007-08 she helped Frankfurt win the German national title and the German Cup in 1999-2003, 2007-08. In 2002, 2006, and 2008 she was also on the Frankfurt Champions League winning team. In 1984 she won the League title and German Cup with Bergisch Gladbach, and with Siegen won further national titles in 1987, 1990-92, 1994, and 1996, and the Cup in 1986-89, and 1993.

Neid turned to coaching after her playing career, firstly as assistant and youth coach, until taking up the role of chief national coach from 2005-16. She was elected FIFA World Coach of the Year three times 2010, 2013, and 2016. In 2003 and 2009 she was a member of Germany’s Team of the Year and was inducted into the Mexican Football Hall of Fame in 2018, the German Football Hall of Fame in 2019, and the German Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

As Germany’s Chief Coach she won the World Cup in 2007 (and as assistant coach in 2003) and the European Championships in 2009 and 2013 (also as assistant coach in 1997, 2001, and 2005). She won the Olympic gold medal in 2016 and the bronze medal in 2008 (and also as assistant coach in 2000 and 2004). In 2006, 2012, and 2014 she also won the Algarve Cup. Neid also won the Youth European Championships three consecutive years from 2000-02 as chief coach.