Union Berlin Appoints Marie-Louise Eta as First Female Coach
• Naijanews • Sports
Marie-Louise Eta has made history by becoming the first woman to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five leagues, as she was appointed interim head coach of Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. This appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after the club's 3-1 defeat to FC Heidenheim. Union Berlin currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga, 11 points above the relegation zone, with five matches remaining in the season. Eta's contract will run until the end of the season, as the club's director of men's football, Horst Heldt, emphasized the need for new direction following poor performances. Eta previously broke barriers as the club's first female assistant coach in November 2023 and has experience leading the team during a Bundesliga match in January 2024. She has also won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam and served as the U19 coach at Union Berlin since July 2025. Eta acknowledged the challenges ahead, while the club's spokesperson, Jacob Sweetman, noted that fans have embraced the decision.
Topics: Sports, Gender