Marie-Louise Eta: Union Berlin makes history with first female manager in major European leagues

Marie-Louise Eta has made history by becoming the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five football leagues, after being appointed head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

The groundbreaking appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart on Saturday, after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim.

Eta, 34, a Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam in 2010, has been serving as Union Berlin’s under-19s coach this season.

She is also slated to lead the club’s women’s team from the summer.

Her previous experience includes working as an assistant to former men’s head coach Nenad Bjelica, and she notably handled media responsibilities during a Bundesliga game in 2024 while Bjelica served a touchline ban.

Her immediate task is to revitalise a struggling Union Berlin side, who have secured just two wins from their last 14 league matches, leaving them seven points clear of the relegation play-off position.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” Eta said on the club’s website.

“I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. And, of course, I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.”

Union director of men’s football Horst Heldt said: “We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season so far and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position.

“Our situation remains precarious and we urgently need points to secure our place in the league. Two wins from 14 matches since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can still turn things around with the current set-up.

“We have therefore decided to make a fresh start. I am delighted that Marie-Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before becoming head coach of the women’s professional team in the summer as planned.”

Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men’s professional team in Europe when she took charge of Italian third division side Viterbese in 1999.

In July 2023 Forest Green appointed Hannah Dingley as caretaker boss, although she did not take charge of a competitive fixture.