HISTORY MADE: Marie-Louise Eta Becomes First Woman to Manage Men’s Team in Europe’s Top Five Leagues
Union Berlin have made history after appointing Marie-Louise Eta as their interim head coach until the end of the season, making her the first woman to manage a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Her appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after Union Berlin’s 3–1 defeat away to bottom side 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday.
Union Berlin currently sit 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga table and are 11 points clear of the automatic relegation zone with five matches left to play. However, they have struggled for form in 2026, winning only two of their last 14 league games.
Eta, 34, is no stranger to breaking barriers. She became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach in November 2023, also at Union Berlin. She later made history again when she took charge from the touchline during a 1–0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024 while serving as interim coach during a suspension for then-manager Nenad Bjelica.
A former Germany youth international and Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, Eta has been managing Union Berlin’s under-19 side since July 2025 and is also set to become the club’s women’s head coach in the summer.
Union Berlin’s director of men’s football, Horst Heldt, said the decision was taken due to poor recent results.
“We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position,” he said.
“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 acknowledged the challenge ahead, with Union only seven points above 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 said.
“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 am convinced that we will secure the crucial points.”
