Marie-Louise Eta, the Bundesliga's first female coach, just wants to get on with her job
BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin's Marie-Louise Eta says she understands the commotion over becoming the first female head coach in the Bundesliga but she just wants to get on with her job. Eta made her first media appearance on Thursday, four days after she was appointed to the season's end after Steffan Baumgart was fired. She has five games.
“For me it’s always about football, it’s about working with people, and what I like most – enjoying as much success as possible together,” Eta said. It's not her first time breaking barriers. She was the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga, also with Union, in 2023, and has been working as the Union Berlin Under-19 men's coach since July.
“I’m trusted here. I appreciate that trust," she said. "I’m happy to be here.
I’m happy we have a Bundesliga match this weekend, and I know that this has a social impact and perhaps even sends a message. I understand that. But the most important thing right now is what’s happening in the next few days, that we prepare ourselves as well as possible for the Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg.
” Union is only seven points clear of the relegation zone after winning just two games in 2026. Wolfsburg’s plight is even worse, second to last and seven points from safety with five rounds remaining. The announcement of 34-year-old Eta’s appointment prompted sexist and derogatory comments on social media, leading Union to push back .