Union Berlins Marie-Louise Eta named first female manager of mens team

Union Berlin Appoints Marie-Louise Eta as Interim Manager

German football club Union Berlin has appointed 34-year-old Marie-Louise Eta as its interim manager, making her the first female head coach in Bundesliga history. Eta was given the job on Sunday, following the sacking of Steffen Baumgart.

Baumgart was dismissed after the club’s form declined in the second half of the season, with a 3-1 defeat by Heidenheim last Saturday being the final straw. Union Berlin sits seven points above the relegation playoff spot and has won just two games since Christmas.

Eta, who had previously served as an assistant coach for the team, will take over for the remainder of the season. She made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” football leagues.

In a statement, Union sporting director Horst Heldt said Eta had agreed to take on the role on an interim basis before becoming head coach of the women’s first team in the summer. The club has won three Bundesliga titles and has a strong player with experience, including a Champions League win in 2010.

Eta will be taking over a precarious situation for Union Berlin, which desperately needs points to stay in the league.

Source: Al Jazeera