Marie-Louise Eta Makes History as First Woman to Manage in Europe’s Top Five Leagues

Marie-Louise Eta has made history by becoming the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues, after being appointed head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old steps into the role following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked on Saturday after a 3-1 defeat to Bundesliga bottom side Heidenheim.

Eta, a former player who won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam in 2010, has been serving as Union Berlin’s Under-19 coach this season. She had already been scheduled to take charge of the club’s women’s team from the summer.

Her promotion follows previous experience within the men’s set-up, where she worked as an assistant to former head coach Nenad Bjelica. She also handled media responsibilities after a Bundesliga fixture in 2024 when Bjelica was serving a touchline ban.

Eta now faces the immediate challenge of reviving Union Berlin’s faltering form. The club has secured just two wins in their last 14 league matches, leaving them seven points above the relegation play-off place.

Speaking via the club’s official website, Eta acknowledged the scale of the task ahead:

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our position in the Bundesliga is not yet secure.

“I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging responsibility. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and continues to be, the ability to unite in difficult moments. I am confident that we will secure the crucial points together as a team.”

Union Berlin’s director of men’s football, Horst Heldt, explained the reasoning behind the managerial change:

“We have had a deeply disappointing second half of the season so far and cannot allow ourselves to be misled by our current league position.

“Our situation remains precarious, and we urgently require points to secure our Bundesliga status. With only two wins from 14 matches since the winter break, recent performances have not provided the confidence that we can reverse our fortunes under the existing set-up.

“We have therefore opted for a fresh start. I am pleased that Marie-Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before assuming her planned position as head coach of the women’s professional team in the summer.”

Eta’s appointment marks a significant milestone in European football. Previously, Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men’s professional side in Europe when she took charge of Viterbese in 1999.

More recently, Hannah Dingley was appointed caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers in July 2023, although she did not oversee a competitive fixture. She later served as head of women’s and girls’ football at the Football Association of Ireland before departing the role in May.

Eta’s historic appointment now represents a landmark moment for gender inclusion at the highest levels of European football, as she looks to guide Union Berlin to Bundesliga safety.