tarali 
For the first time in the history of Europe’s top five leagues, a woman has taken over the responsibility of head coach for a men’s team—Marie-Louise Eta. The German Bundesliga club Union Berlin has appointed her as their interim head coach. Prior to this, she served as the team’s assistant coach.
The decision followed Union Berlin’s 3-1 defeat against FC Heidenheim on Saturday, which led to the dismissal of former head coach Steffen Baumgart. Eta will remain in charge until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old Marie-Louise Eta had already made history in November 2023 by becoming the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga. In January 2024, during a suspension for then-manager Nenad Bjelica, she stood on the touchline in the dugout for the first time as a female coach during a match against Darmstadt. Her team won that match 1-0.
Her Background and
Challenges She played for the German women’s youth team and won the Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam.
Since July 2025, she has been serving as the manager for Union Berlin’s U-19 team. There are also reports that she may take charge of the club’s women’s team this coming summer.
The club’s men’s team director, Horst Heldt, stated that the team’s performance in the second half of the season has not been satisfactory, necessitating a new beginning.
Currently, Union Berlin sits at 11th place in the 18-team Bundesliga. In 2026, the team has won only two out of 14 matches played so far. Noting that they are only 7 points ahead of St. Pauli, who are in the relegation play-off spot, Eta remarked that the team’s position is not yet secure. However, she expressed hope that by staying united during these difficult times, the team can overcome this slump.
About The Author
