Marie-Louise Eta Appointed Interim Manager of Union Berlin in Bundesliga First
Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as their interim head coach, making her the first woman to take charge of a men's Bundesliga team. The 33-year-old, who was the head coach of the club's Under-19s, takes over from the sacked Steffen Baumgart after a 3-1 defeat to bottom side Heidenheim left the club 13th in the table.
The move follows the club's decision to dismiss Baumgart following a poor run of form, with the team having won just two of their last 14 league matches. Union Berlin's general director, Horst Heldt, stated that the recent performances and results did not provide confidence that a turnaround was possible under the previous coaching team.
Eta, who was already set to become the head coach of the club's new professional women's team next season, has been promoted from her role as Under-19 coach. In a statement on the club's website, she expressed her confidence, saying, "I am happy that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. A strength of Union has always been, and remains, uniting all our strength in situations like this. And of course I am convinced that we will secure the decisive points."
Her immediate task is to secure the club's Bundesliga status. Despite a difficult 2024, Union Berlin currently sit seven points clear of the relegation playoff spot with five games remaining. Eta, a former Germany youth international and a UEFA Pro Licence holder, has been part of the club's coaching structure for several years and is a highly-regarded young coach within German football.
The appointment is a historic moment for the Bundesliga, marking the first time a woman has taken charge of a men's top-flight team in Germany. Her first match in charge will be a crucial home fixture against Wolfsburg this weekend, as Union seek the points to mathematically secure their top-flight status.
Eta's promotion from within the club's own ranks is seen as a logical step by the Union Berlin hierarchy, who have placed their faith in a coach who knows the club's culture and many of its younger players intimately. The club statement cited the need for a new perspective and impetus to secure their Bundesliga status, a challenge Eta will now undertake.
