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Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as the head coach of Union Berlin, making her the first woman to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues. Her appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after a recent defeat.
Union Berlin's Marie-Louise Eta leads a training session (AP)
Marie-Louise Eta has made history by becoming the first woman to take charge of a menâs team in one of Europeâs top five football leagues, after being appointed head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.
The groundbreaking appointment follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart on Saturday, after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim.
Eta, 34, a Womenâs Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam in 2010, has been serving as Union Berlinâs under-19s coach this season.
She is also slated to lead the clubâs womenâs team from the summer.
Her previous experience includes working as an assistant to former menâs head coach Nenad Bjelica, and she notably handled media responsibilities during a Bundesliga game in 2024 while Bjelica served a touchline ban.
Her immediate task is to revitalise a struggling Union Berlin side, who have secured just two wins from their last 14 league matches, leaving them seven points clear of the relegation play-off position.
The 34-year-old Eta, a Womenâs Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam in 2010, has been working as Union Berlinâs under-19s coach this season and is due to take charge of the clubâs womenâs side from the summer (AFP via Getty Images)
âGiven the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,â Eta said on the clubâs website.
âI am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Unionâs strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. And, of course, I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.â
Union director of menâs football Horst Heldt said: âWe have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season so far and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position.
âOur situation remains precarious and we urgently need points to secure our place in the league. Two wins from 14 matches since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can still turn things around with the current set-up.
âWe have therefore decided to make a fresh start. I am delighted that Marie-Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before becoming head coach of the womenâs professional team in the summer as planned.â
Marie-Louise Eta has been handed the reins after Steffen Baumgart was sacked on Saturday following a 3-1 loss to the Bundesligaâs bottom side Heidenheim (AP)
Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a menâs professional team in Europe when she took charge of Italian third division side Viterbese in 1999.
In July 2023 Forest Green appointed Hannah Dingley as caretaker boss, although she did not take charge of a competitive fixture.
Marie-Louise Eta is the newly appointed head coach of Union Berlin, making her the first woman to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues.
Steffen Baumgart was dismissed after Union Berlin suffered a 3-1 defeat to Heidenheim, which prompted the club to seek a new direction.
Before her appointment, Marie-Louise Eta was serving as the under-19s coach for Union Berlin and is a Women's Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam in 2010.
Eta's appointment could pave the way for more women to take on managerial roles in men's football, challenging traditional gender norms in the sport.

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