Union Berlin appoint Marie-Louise Eta as first woman head coach

Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to be appointed as the coach of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues after being appointed interim head coach of Bundesliga team Union Berlin.

His appointment until the end of the season follows the sacking of Steffen Baumgart, whose team lost 3-1 to bottom team FC Heidenheim on Saturday.

Union Berlin, which is in 11th place in the 18-team Bundesliga, was 11 points ahead of the automatic relegation line with its remaining five matches, but could only get two wins in 14 league matches in 2026.

Eta, 34, is no stranger to breaking barriers as the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach, also at Union Berlin in November 2023.

In a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024, she served as the deputy of then-coach Nenad Bjelica, who was suspended for three matches, and became the first woman to lead a Bundesliga team from the touchline.

Eta, a former Germany national team player and Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, has been Union Berlin’s under-19 coach since July 2025 and will become the club’s women’s head coach in the summer.

“We have had an extremely disappointing second half of the season and we will not let our league position blind us,” Union’s director of men’s football, Horst Heldt, said.

“Our situation remains precarious. The performances in recent weeks do not give us confidence that we can turn things around under the current order. That is why we have decided to make a fresh start.”

Eta highlighted the difficulties Union faced with being seven points ahead of St Pauli in the relegation play-offs.

“Our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure, considering the difference in points to the bottom half of the table,” he said.

“I’m delighted that the club has given me this challenge. One of Union’s strengths has always been and remains the ability to come together in situations like this.

“I believe we will secure the important points.”