Marie-Louise Eta Makes History as First Female Head Coach in Top European Leagues

In a groundbreaking move, Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as the head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the top five European men's leagues. Eta will initially take on an interim role, overseeing the team for the remaining five games of the season before assuming her planned position as head coach of the women's team. Her appointment follows her historic role as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and the top divisions of Europe's major leagues in 2023. Union sporting director Horst Heldt expressed his delight at Eta's agreement, stating, "I'm pleased 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 replaces Steffen Baumgart, who was let go alongside his assistants after the team's recent loss. With her new role, Eta aims to secure the team's position in the Bundesliga, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Her appointment has been met with enthusiasm from figures such as England manager Sarina Wiegman, who praised Eta as a trailblazer. The move is seen as a significant step forward for women in football, with Eta joining the ranks of pioneers like Sabrina Wittmann, who became the first woman to coach a men's team in Germany's top three divisions in 2024.