'Great energy' - Marie-Louise Eta starts Union Berlin training

Matthias Koch/dpa Marie-Louise Eta arrived with a big smile on her face for Union Berlin training on Tuesday as she became the first woman in a top European league to take charge of a men's team. "Come together, lads," she said as she addressed the players in a short speech before the session began in rainy conditions. Training was closed for fans but Union president Dirk Zingler was present for the historic occasion along with around 40 German and international media representatives.

Eta mainly watched during the first half hour before taking charge when tactics were worked on. "Full throttle," she shouted as well as "lads, listen. " In a club video after training, Eta said: "Great energy, a positive atmosphere.

Especially after the day off, there was a lot of intensity and plenty of football, so overall I’m very, very pleased with today’s first session – it was a good start. " Eta was appointed head coach late on Saturday for the remaining five games of the Bundesliga season and possibly beyond. She succeeded Steffen Baumgart, who was fired after a 3-1 defeat at bottom club Heidenheim.

Union are 11th but have won only two of their games in 2026 and are not safe from relegation yet, seven points above the danger zone. Eta's first match in charge is on Saturday at home to second-last Wolfsburg. A victory would save Union from the automatic drop.