Eta makes history as Bundesliga’s first female head coach

By Ejire Folakunmi

Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as head coach, making history as the first woman to lead a men’s team in the Bundesliga.

Eta takes charge on an interim basis until June following the dismissal of former coach Steffen Baumgart after a run of poor results.

The decision comes after Union Berlin’s recent defeat at Heidenheim, leaving the club 11th on the table with 32 points from 29 matches.

Her appointment also places her among the first female head coaches in Europe’s top five men’s leagues, marking a significant milestone in football.

Eta, a former German youth international, previously served as Union Berlin’s assistant coach and has experience managing the club’s U-19 team.

She also made history earlier by becoming the first female assistant coach at the club and has already taken charge of a Bundesliga match in a temporary capacity.

Club sources have described her as a tactically astute coach, expressing confidence in her ability to stabilise the team during a crucial stage of the season.

Her first match in charge is scheduled for April 18, when Union Berlin host Wolfsburg, with fans hoping for a turnaround in form.

The appointment has been widely regarded as a landmark moment for gender representation in football, as Eta steps into one of the most competitive leagues in the sport.