Marie-Louise Eta has made history after being named interim head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first woman to manage a men’s side in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Her deal runs until the end of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after the club’s 3-1 defeat to FC Heidenheim.
Union sit 11th in the Bundesliga, 11 points above the relegation zone with five matches left. They have recorded only two wins from 14 league games in 2026.
Club director of men’s football Horst Heldt said the decision followed a run of poor performances and the need for a new direction.
“We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season. The performances shown in recent weeks do not give us confidence that we can turn things around with the current set-up,” Heldt said.
Eta has already broken barriers in Berlin. She became the club’s first female assistant coach in November 2023 and later led the team from the touchline during a Bundesliga match in January 2024 while then manager Nenad Bjelica served a suspension.
Eta won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam and has been working as Union’s U19 coach since July 2025. The former German youth international is also due to take charge of the club’s women’s team this summer.
Speaking after her appointment, Eta admitted the task ahead is far from straightforward.
“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure. I am delighted the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points,” she said.
Union spokesperson Jacob Sweetman said fans have embraced the decision.
“In my nearly 20 years with this club, I am not sure I have ever seen such unanimous support for a new coach coming in,” he said, adding that the response from supporters was “99% positive.”
Eta joins a small group of women who have managed men’s teams in Europe. Carolina Morace led Viterbese in 1999, Corinne Diacre took charge of Clermont Foot between 2014 and 2017, and Hannah Dingley served briefly as caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers in 2023.
