10 May 2023 - 11:15 AM
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IMAGO | Manuel Neuer and Kai Havertz are both born in Nordrhein-Westfalen, which is the most common birthplace for Bundesliga players
No east in German football? Exploring the birthplace hotspots for German footballers
- Germany is renowned for its footballing prowess, with both the national team and domestic league among the world's best, but do children across Germany have equal opportunities to excel in the sport?
- This analysis provides a comprehensive picture of birthplace hotspots for Bundesliga and German national team footballers over the past decade, highlighting significant regional disparities.
- Why it matters: With fewer Bundesliga clubs located in eastern states and fewer players from these regions, academies may benefit from expanding their scouting to explore the overlooked areas.
- The perspective: The German national team is largely dominated by players born in western states, with more players born in foreign countries than in eastern regions, underscoring the need to address the east-west divide in German football.
Becoming a professional footballer requires passion and hard work, but various other factors also determine whether one makes it to the top. Among these factors, place of birth is a significant determinant that often goes unnoticed.
In a recent analysis, we examined birthplace hotspots for Premier League footballers and uncovered significant advantages for players born in Greater London.
Building on this research, we now shift our focus to Germany, a country renowned
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