Marie-Louise Eta breaks new ground as she takes charge of Union Berlin’s men’s team.
Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach, making her the first woman to manage a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The 34-year-old will lead the Bundesliga side until the end of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after a poor run of results.
Eta steps into the role at a critical moment. Union Berlin sit 11th in the Bundesliga but have won just two of their 14 league matches in 2026. Despite being 11 points clear of automatic relegation, the club remains under pressure with five games left.
This is not Eta’s first milestone. She previously became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach and also led the team from the touchline during a match in 2024. A former German youth international and Women’s Champions League winner, Eta has been managing Union’s under-19 side since mid-2025.
Club director Horst Heldt said recent performances forced a change in leadership, adding that the team must quickly regain form to secure safety. Eta acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence that the squad can deliver crucial results.
Her appointment marks a significant step forward for gender representation in elite men’s football. It comes more than two decades after pioneers like Carolina Morace and Corinne Diacre broke similar barriers in lower divisions.
With the season nearing its end, all eyes will be on Eta as she aims to guide Union Berlin to Bundesliga survival.