Marie-Louise Eta reflects on historic Bundesliga debut with Union Berlin
Marie-Louise Eta has said she saw positive signs in her historic debut as Union Berlin's interim coach, despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg. The 34-year-old became the first woman to take charge of a men's Bundesliga team in a competitive match last Saturday. In an exclusive interview with Bundesliga's 'Midweek Interviews', Eta stated her belief that the team had taken a significant step forward under her guidance.
Eta acknowledged the difficulty of implementing immediate change but was encouraged by the players' application. "You just can’t expect everything to work immediately in such a short space of time, but I saw a lot of good things in the game, both on and off the ball," she said. The coach highlighted the squad's openness to new ideas after a difficult period that had eroded confidence, noting the "positive energy and the belief" she sensed upon arrival.
The former Werder Bremen assistant was appointed until the end of the season following the dismissal of Nenad Bjelica, with Union Berlin hovering just above the relegation playoff spot. Her first task was a home fixture against a Wolfsburg side that had won only one of its previous ten league matches. While the performance offered encouragement, Eta admitted the result was a disappointment. "We were all very disappointed with that, but it was a good step in the right direction," she added.
Looking ahead to the final four matches of the campaign, Eta is focused on building consistency. She explained that the coaching team has analyzed the Wolfsburg match thoroughly, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. "If we keep putting in performances like that, then the results will change in the end," Eta stated. Her immediate priority is preparing the team for the next fixture with renewed confidence, aiming to secure the points needed to guarantee Bundesliga survival.
Eta's appointment marks a landmark moment for German football, breaking a long-standing gender barrier in the top flight. Her initial focus has been on integrating her ideas with the existing coaching staff and rebuilding the squad's self-belief after a string of poor results. The coming weeks will determine not only Union Berlin's fate but also the broader impact of this pioneering appointment on the coaching landscape in Germany and beyond.
