Union Berlin appoints first female manager
Union Berlin have written themselves into the history books by naming Marie-Louise Eta as their interim head coach, reports BritPanorama.
The 34-year-old becomes the first woman ever to take charge of a men’s side in one of Europe’s elite divisions. The German club confirmed the groundbreaking appointment on Saturday evening, handing Eta responsibility for steering the team through their remaining Bundesliga fixtures.
Her promotion represents a watershed moment for football across the continent’s top five leagues, which encompass the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano described the move as a “historic decision” that could open doors for female coaches throughout the men’s game. The managerial shake-up followed a damaging 3-1 loss to bottom-placed Heidenheim, a result that proved fatal to Steffen Baumgart’s tenure. Union’s hierarchy acted swiftly, dismissing Baumgart along with his assistants as part of a complete overhaul of the coaching setup.
The defeat capped a wretched run of form, with Union claiming only two victories from 14 outings since the winter break. Despite sitting in 11th position, they remain only seven points above the relegation play-off place with five matches left this season.
Eta steps into the role after previously serving as head coach of Union’s under-19 squad, a position she assumed following Baumgart’s departure. She made history back in November 2023 when she became the first woman to hold an assistant coaching position in the Bundesliga, working alongside Marco Grote.
Her experience at the top level extends further; she had temporarily taken charge of first-team duties during a three-match suspension served by then-manager Nenad Bjelica in 2024. Once her interim stint concludes, Eta will transition to her planned role as the head coach of Union Berlin’s women’s professional team from the summer onwards.
Eta acknowledged the precarious nature of Union’s position, stating, “Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure. I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. And, of course, I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.”
Director of football Horst Heldt admitted the club’s situation “remains precarious” and that recent performances had eroded confidence in the previous setup. Eta’s first match at the helm comes against relegation-threatened Wolfsburg on April 18 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
In a sport often dominated by tradition, Eta’s appointment invites both optimism and scrutiny. As Union navigates the murky waters of relegation and pioneer coaching, the spotlight now shifts not just to results, but to how this landmark decision unfolds for women in football.
