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Union Berlin Appoints Marie-Louise Eta as Interim Head Coach in Bundesliga First

The move tasks a 34-year-old club coach with stopping a slide to safeguard Union’s Bundesliga place.

Overview

  • Union Berlin named Eta on Sunday after a 3-1 loss at Heidenheim prompted Steffen Baumgart’s dismissal.
  • Eta is the first woman to lead a men’s top-division team in Europe’s five major leagues and will oversee the final five matches, opening against relegation-threatened Wolfsburg on Saturday.
  • Club executives condemned sexist posts on social media and said they have “100% confidence” in her, while Union’s official X account called several replies “sexist.”
  • Eta’s résumé includes coaching Union’s U19s, serving as a first-team assistant in the Bundesliga and Champions League, and fronting a 1-0 league win during a touchline suspension in January 2024.
  • She ran her first training session Tuesday and urged more activity, clearer communication and faster positional play as she chases the points needed to ensure safety.