Historic Appointment: Marie-Louise Eta Becomes First Female Head Coach in Top Five European Men's Leagues

In a groundbreaking move, Marie-Louise Eta has been named the new head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first female to hold this position in the top five European men's leagues. Eta, who will take over as coach of Union's women's team next season, has agreed to an interim role with the men's team, tasked with securing their Bundesliga survival over the remaining five games. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as Eta previously made history in 2023 as the first woman to serve as an assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across Europe's top divisions. Union sporting director Horst Heldt expressed his delight at Eta's appointment, stating, '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 replaces Steffen Baumgart, who was let go along with his assistants following the team's 3-1 loss to Heidenheim. With Union currently in 11th place, seven points clear of the relegation zone, Eta is confident in her team's ability to secure the necessary points to ensure their Bundesliga status. England manager Sarina Wiegman praised Eta's appointment, calling her a 'trailblazer' and noting that this move is a significant step forward for women in football. The appointment has also drawn praise from Sabrina Wittmann, the first woman to take charge of a men's team in Germany's top three divisions, who believes that Eta's success will pave the way for more women in the sport.