Zambia coach Nora Häuptle says she is not afraid of losing her job

Zambia women’s national team coach Nora Häuptle has discussed why she doesn’t fear losing her job with the Copper Queens.

Häuptle, who has been the coach of the Zambian women’s national team since January 2025, maintained that her focus was to help the side reach great success.

“I’ve learned to be in the here and now and to do everything with conviction, as if it were forever. I don’t already have the next door in mind, but instead try to be especially present and do the things that need to be done right now,” Häuptle told Swiss Olympic team in an interview.

“It’s a cliché, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. That was true in Ghana, and it’s true now in Zambia. In Switzerland, we always make so many plans and worry far too much.

‘I have freedom in Zambia to tell everyone to their face’

“I’m privileged because I have such a strong safety net in Switzerland. I could work as a teacher, and my parents could help me out. I always say: I have the freedom in Zambia to tell everyone to their face what I really think because I’m not afraid of losing my job.

“If I were to be laid off, I would have other options. This freedom allows me to work more clearly and directly. I don’t have to compromise my principles or do anything that goes against my convictions.”

She added: “I was also dismissed for the first time in the Bundesliga. I needed time to process it. I gave my all for a year, and then suddenly it was all gone. Sure, the results weren’t good enough (eight points in 18 league games), but that first dismissal is formative.

“You start to reconnect with yourself and develop further: What are my values? How did I grow up? What motivates me? What strengths do I want to develop further? That helped me a lot in managing my daily life as a national coach in Ghana and now also in Zambia.

“I’ve developed a lot in terms of leadership skills. How can I stay balanced in this highly emotional, sometimes difficult environment? How can I reduce things to the essentials? The Swiss approach doesn’t work in Africa.

“You’re constantly forced to evolve. And I believe: Only if you’re balanced, can reflect well, and can effectively reduce things, are you a good coach. Because you’re the lighthouse in this journey.”

During her playing career, Häuptle played as a defender, starting out at St. Gallen before moving on to play for BSC YB Frauen and FFC Zuchwil 05, all in Switzerland.

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