In a landmark decision, German football club Union Berlin has appointed Marie- Louise Eta as the interim head coach for its men's team. This move makes the 34-year-old the first woman to hold a head coaching position for a men's team within Europe's elite five football leagues. Eta steps into the role after the club parted ways with former coach Steffen Baumgart.
Baumgart's departure follows Union Berlin's recent 3-1 loss to bottom-placed Heidenheim, a result that leaves the team in 11th position in the Bundesliga standings. With five matches remaining in the season, Union Berlin holds a seven-point advantage over the relegation play-off spot, but has secured only two victories in the league so far this year.
Eta, who is slated to transition to coaching the club's women's team at the conclusion of the current season, acknowledged the challenge ahead. "Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure," Eta stated. "I am delighted 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. I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points."
Prior to this interim appointment, Eta had served Union Berlin in various capacities, including as an assistant coach and coach for the under-19 squad. She also previously stepped in as acting head coach for the first team, deputising for Nenad Bjelica during a 1-0 victory against Darmstadt in January 2024 when Bjelica was suspended.
Eta's appointment notably occurs over 25 years after Carolina Morace made history in 1999 by becoming the first woman to manage a men's professional football team in Europe, taking the helm at Italian third-division club Viterbese.
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