Marie-Louise Eta has entered the history books after being appointed interim head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first woman to lead a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Her appointment runs until the end of the season, following the sacking of Steffen Baumgart after a 3–1 loss to FC Heidenheim.
Union Berlin currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga, 11 points clear of relegation with five games remaining. However, their form has been worrying, with just two wins from 14 league matches in 2026.
The club’s director of men’s football, Horst Heldt, explained that the decision was driven by poor performances and the need for change, noting that recent results offered little hope of improvement under the previous setup.
Eta is no stranger to breaking barriers at the club. She became Union Berlin’s first female assistant coach in November 2023 and later took charge from the touchline during a Bundesliga match in January 2024 while then manager Nenad Bjelica served a suspension.
A former German youth international, Eta previously won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam and has been coaching Union’s U19 team since July 2025. She is also expected to take over the club’s women’s team this summer.
Reacting to her appointment, Eta acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in securing enough points to keep the club in the Bundesliga.
Union spokesperson Jacob Sweetman revealed that fans have largely welcomed the decision, describing the response as overwhelmingly positive.
Eta now joins a small group of women who have managed men’s teams in Europe, including Carolina Morace, Corinne Diacre, and Hannah Dingley.