Marie-Louise Eta has become the first woman appointed to manage a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues after being named interim head coach of Union Berlin.
The 34-year-old was appointed following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who left after Union Berlin’s 3-1 defeat to Heidenheim. The club currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga, seven points above the relegation play-off zone, with five matches left but just two league wins in 14 games this year.
Eta said the team’s Bundesliga status is still not secure but expressed confidence in securing vital points, praising the club’s unity in difficult moments. She is also set to become head coach of Union’s women’s team at the end of the season.
She previously worked as assistant coach and under-19s coach at Union Berlin and even stepped in during a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in 2024 when then-manager Nenad Bjelica was suspended. Her appointment marks a historic moment in European football, more than 25 years after Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men’s professional team in Europe.
