In a historic move for the sport, Marie-Louise Eta has etched her name into the record books as the inaugural female head coach in Europe’s premier men’s leagues following her promotion at Union Berlin.
Set to begin her planned role leading the club’s women’s team next season, the trailblazer has instead stepped into an immediate interim position with the men’s side, where she has just five matches left to guide the team to Bundesliga safety.
Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement: “I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer.”
Eta first broke new ground in 2023 when she became the first female assistant coach not only in the Bundesliga but across the men’s Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
Reacting to her latest appointment, Eta said: “Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure. I am delighted 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. I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points.”
She replaces Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked along with assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after Union Berlin suffered a 3-1 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim on Saturday.
The result left the club in 11th place, seven points above the relegation zone occupied by St Pauli, with five games still to play.
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