Marie-Louise Eta has made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as the head coach of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues, taking the reins as interim head coach of Bundesliga club Union Berlin. Her appointment comes in the wake of the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to FC Heidenheim, who currently sit at the bottom of the league table.
Union Berlin is currently positioned 11th among the 18 teams in the Bundesliga and is 11 points clear of the automatic relegation zone with just five matches remaining this season. However, the team has struggled significantly, managing only two victories out of their last 14 league matches in 2026.
Breaking Barriers in Coaching
At just 34 years old, Eta has already established herself as a pioneer in football coaching. She previously made headlines in November 2023 by becoming the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history while working with Union Berlin. During a critical match in January 2024, she stepped in for then-manager Nenad Bjelica, who was serving a suspension, and led the team to a 1-0 victory over Darmstadt, marking the first time a woman managed a Bundesliga team from the sidelines.
Before her new role, Eta was the manager of Union Berlin's under-19 team starting in July 2025 and will take on the position of head coach for the women's team in the upcoming summer. With her extensive background as a former Germany youth international and a Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, she brings a wealth of experience to her new position.
Facing Challenges Ahead
Upon her appointment, Eta acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead for her team. Despite being seven points clear of St. Pauli, who are currently in the relegation play-off spot, she understands the precarious nature of their situation. “Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” she stated. Eta expressed gratitude to the club for entrusting her with this challenging task, emphasizing Union Berlin's strength in unity during tough times. “I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points,” she added confidently.
Jacob Sweetman, a spokesman for Union Berlin, noted the overwhelming support for Eta's appointment on social media following the announcement, stating, “I have to say, in my best part of 20 years with this club, I am not sure I have ever seen such unanimous support for a new coach coming in.” While her role is currently interim, the positive response from both the club and its fan base indicates strong backing for her leadership.
Eta's historic appointment comes 25 years after Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men's professional team in Europe with Italian side Viterbese in 1999. Other notable appointments include Corinne Diacre, who managed Clermont Foot in France's Ligue 2 from 2014 to 2017, and Hannah Dingley, who briefly served as caretaker boss of Forest Green Rovers in England in July 2023, although she did not lead the team in a competitive match. As Eta steps into her new role, she aims to not only secure Union Berlin's position in the Bundesliga but also pave the way for future generations of women in coaching.
