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

In a groundbreaking move, Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as the head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first female to hold this position in the top five European leagues. Prior to this, she will serve as the interim coach for the men's team for the remaining five games of the season. Eta has previously made history as the first woman to be an assistant coach in the Bundesliga and the top divisions of Europe's major leagues. Union Berlin's sporting director, Horst Heldt, expressed his delight at Eta's appointment, stating that she will take over as the head coach of the women's team as planned in the summer. Eta replaces Steffen Baumgart, who was let go along with his assistants after the team's recent loss. With five games left in the season, Eta is focused on securing the team's position in the Bundesliga, emphasizing the importance of unity in overcoming challenges. Her appointment has been praised by England manager Sarina Wiegman, who sees Eta as a trailblazer for women in football. The move is a significant step forward for women in the sport, 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.