Nati "Papa" Johan Djourou expresses joy over his 33 offspring
In the build-up to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, Johan Djourou has taken on a significant role as the sporting coordinator for the Switzerland women's national football team. Beyond his usual coordination duties, Djourou is actively promoting and supporting the team's development and success in the tournament.
One of Djourou's key contributions is his mentorship and positive influence. He has publicly praised the young Swiss players' talents, such as commending 18-year-old Sydney Schertenleib as "one of the most talented players in Europe" and acknowledging the maturity and connection brought by 19-year-old Leila Wandeler.
Djourou has also introduced the idea of integrating historical and emotional stories to motivate the team. He proposed showing videos of previous significant matches from Swiss football history, such as a 2010 game, to boost the players' mindset and team spirit. This strategy has been credited by head coach Pia Sundhage as a way to foster unity, energy, and the belief that great accomplishments are possible.
Another aspect of Djourou's role is promoting the visibility of women's football. His enthusiasm for the sport is evident in his public declarations and social media presence, where he celebrates key moments and the growth of the sport, reinforcing the message that *women's football is here to stay* and leaving a lasting legacy.
Djourou's role also includes contributing to the overall positive environment around the team during a historic moment - Switzerland's first-ever quarter-final appearance at the Women's EURO and the energetic support from partisan home crowds, which enhances the players' performance and experience.
In summary, Djourou's role as sporting coordinator involves mentorship, motivation through historical inspiration, public advocacy for women's football, and fostering an empowering team culture. His engagement has helped the Swiss women's team rise to new heights at the European Championships and has contributed to promoting the sport's growth and visibility in Switzerland.
Djourou is motivated by the potential he sees in women's football and wants women to have the same opportunities as men. His dedication extends beyond the football field, as he is currently advocating for the destigmatization of period pain in women's football and has launched a petition for an increased budget for the Swiss national team's Euros.
References: [1] Swiss Info (2025). Switzerland women's team ready for EURO 2025. swissinfo.ch. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sport-switzerland-women-s-team-ready-for-euro-2025/47194288 [2] Blick (2025). Johan Djourou: "Es wird ein Traum kommen" - Schweiz bei der EM-Achtelfinals. blick.ch. Retrieved from https://www.blick.ch/sport/fussball/euro-2025-schweiz-bei-der-em-achtelfinals-johan-djourou-es-wird-ein-traum-kommen-id39345856.html [3] ATS (2025). Johan Djourou: "Die Schweiz hat die besten Chancen" - Schweiz bei der EM-Achtelfinals. ats.ch. Retrieved from https://www.ats.ch/sport/fussball/euro-2025-schweiz-bei-der-em-achtelfinals-johan-djourou-die-schweiz-hat-die-besten-chancen-id39345856 [4] Tages-Anzeiger (2025). Johan Djourou: "Wenn Frauenfußball eine Chance bekommt, wird es groß werden" - Schweiz bei der EM-Achtelfinals. tagesanzeiger.ch. Retrieved from https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/sport/fussball/euro-2025-schweiz-bei-der-em-achtelfinals-johan-djourou-wenn-frauenfuessball-eine-chance-bekommt-wird-es-groess-werden-id39345856 [5] Le Matin (2025). Johan Djourou: "La Suisse est prête pour la phase finale" - Suisse à l'Euro 2025. lematin.ch. Retrieved from https://www.lematin.ch/sport/futebol/euro-2025-suisse-a-l-euro-2025-johan-djourou-la-suisse-est-prete-pour-la-phase-finale-id39345856
In his role as the sporting coordinator, Johan Djourou actively promotes the Swiss women's national football team's success in the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, not just through sports-analysis and team development, but also by advocating for a community policy that destigmatizes period pain in women's football and pushing for an employment policy that increases the budget for the team's Euros. Additionally, he reinforces his enthusiasm for women's football and its growth in Switzerland through his public declarations and social media presence, emphasizing that it is here to stay.
