Marie-Louise Eta has change into the first woman appointed to handle a males’s group in considered one of Europe’s prime 5 leagues after being named interim head coach of Bundesliga facet Union Berlin.
Her appointment till the top of the season follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, whose group misplaced 3-1 to backside facet FC Heidenheim on Saturday.
Union Berlin, who sit eleventh within the 18-team Bundesliga, are 11 factors away from the automated relegation zone with 5 matches remaining however have solely gained twice in 14 league outings in 2026.
Eta, 34, is not any stranger to breaking obstacles, turning into the Bundesliga’s first feminine assistant coach, additionally with Union Berlin, in November 2023.
She deputised for then-manager Nenad Bjelica, who was serving a three-match suspension, throughout a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024 to change into the first woman to steer a Bundesliga group from the touchline.
Eta, a former Germany youth worldwide and Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, has been working as Union Berlin’s under-19s supervisor since July 2025 and can change into the membership’s ladies’s head coach in the summertime.
“We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position,” stated Horst Heldt, Union’s director of males’s soccer.
“Our situation remains precarious. The performances shown in recent weeks do not give us confidence that we can turn things around with the current set-up. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start.”
Eta pointed to the challenges she faces, with Union seven factors forward of St Pauli, who sit within the relegation play-off spot.
“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” she 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’m satisfied that we’ll safe the essential factors.”
