Union Berlin make history by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as Bundesliga’s first female head coach
German Bundesliga club Union Berlin have made history by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as their head coach, meaning she becomes the first female to be given the top job at a men’s team in one of Europe’s five biggest leagues. The 34-year-old is a former professional player who was previously the coach of Union’s Under-19s. She was appointed late on Saturday, following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, after a 3-1 loss to bottom club Heidenheim.
Eta is due to take over Union’s women’s team in the summer. She has been appointed as head coach of the men’s side until the end of the season. “Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” she said following the announcement.
“I am delighted that 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. And, of course, I am convinced we will secure the crucial points with the team.
” It is not the first time Eta and Union have made history. In January 2024, while serving as an assistant coach to Nenad Bjelica, she became the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in the Bundesliga, when she deputised for him during a three-game suspension. Eta has been coaching since her playing career ended prematurely, aged 26.
Previously the captain of Werder Bremen’s Frauen Bundesliga side, she was appointed coach of their U15 boys’ team following her retirement in 2018. She also served as an assistant coach for the German Women’s national team, before joining Union in 2023, where she became assistant coach of the club’s U19 men’s side with Marco Grote. After first-team coach Urs Fischer was dismissed in November 2023, Grote was placed in interim charge for three games, with Eta as his assistant, prior to Bjelica’s appointment.