Marie-Louise Eta Named Interim Head Coach at Union Berlin
Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed interim head coach of Bundesliga club Union Berlin, marking the first time a woman has managed a men's team in one of Europe's top five leagues. Her tenure will last until the end of the current season.
This appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who was relieved of his duties after Union Berlin's 3-1 defeat to bottom-placed FC Heidenheim on Saturday.
Union Berlin currently occupy 11th place in the 18-team Bundesliga table, holding an 11-point advantage over the automatic relegation zone with five matches remaining. However, the team has secured only two victories in 14 league games during 2026.
Eta's Trailblazing Career at Union Berlin
At 34 years old, Eta has a history of breaking new ground. In November 2023, she became the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach, also at Union Berlin.
In January 2024, she served as acting head coach for a match against Darmstadt while then-manager Nenad Bjelica was suspended for three games. Under her leadership, Union Berlin won 1-0, making her the first woman to lead a Bundesliga team from the touchline.
Eta, a former Germany youth international and Women's Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, has been managing Union Berlin's under-19 team since July 2025. She is also set to become the club's women's head coach starting this summer.
Club's Perspective and Future Outlook
Horst Heldt, Union Berlin's director of men's football, commented on the decision to appoint Eta as interim head coach.
"We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position," Heldt 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 challenges ahead, noting that Union Berlin's position in the Bundesliga is not yet secure despite being seven points ahead of St Pauli, who occupy 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."
