Eta makes history as first female coach of men's team in a top league

Union Berlin's co-trainer Marie-Louise Eta smiles during the Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Darmstadt 98 at An der Alten Foersterei. Andreas Gora/dpa

Marie-Louise Eta is the first woman to coach a men's team in Europe's top leagues after she was appointed coach at German Bundesliga club Union Berlin for the rest of the season.

Eta, 34, takes over for the last five matches from Steffen Baumgart, who had to go late Saturday after a 3-1 defeat at bottom club Heidenheim.

Union have only two wins from 14 matches and are not safe yet from relegation, six points above the danger zone.

For Eta, the task is not entirely new territory.

Eta has experience

In 2023, she became the first female assistant coach of a Bundesliga club at Union and in this role also made Champions League history.

Eta was then appointed head coach of the men's under-19 side in March 2025 before the latest step, at least for a few weeks before she is due to take charge of Union's women's Bundesliga team.

"I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task," Eta said in a club statement.

"One of Union’s 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."

Into coaching after playing career

Eta won the German title in 2009 and the Champions League in 2010 with Turbine Potsdam before ending her playing career at age 26 in 2018.

She went into coaching straight away at her then club Werder Bremen, in charge of academy teams, and she was assistant of junior national teams.

She obtained the highest coaching licence in March 2023 and told Kicker sports magazine at the time: "I’ve always found it works well for me to take things one step at a time.

"That’s why I can easily imagine doing a lot of things: taking charge of a youth national team at some point, working as an assistant coach in the men’s professional leagues, coaching a women’s Bundesliga side, or even U-17 or U-19 boys."

Unique feature

Eta added that she never had a problem being a women in the male-dominated environment.

"I know that this gives me a certain unique feature," she said.

"Of course, some people find that interesting, but I grew up playing football with boys and also as a coach at a youth academy. From the outside, it’s certainly an issue, but it shouldn’t be the only one, and I don’t want to be treated as a special case."

Union have full faith in her, with head of professional football Horst Heldt saying: "I am delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role."

Other female coaches of men's teams

Eta is not the first woman to coach men's professional teams in Germany or other European countries.

Among others, Carolina Morace was in charge of Italian third-tier club Viterbese for a few matches in 1999 and Sabrina Wittmann has been coaching German third-division side Ingolstadt since 2024.

In addition, there is Renate Blindheim, who has been coach of Norwegian second division side Sotra since 2020.

FIFA takes action

Eta's appointment, even though it is short, comes after FIFA decided last month that women must have more opportunities in coaching.

The governing body ruled that women's teams must now have a female head coach or assistant coach if they want to participate in its events such as the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

"There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines," FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said.