Team director: Eta can hope for long-term deal as Union Berlin coach

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 can hope for a long-term deal as coach of Union Berlin men's team.

"At this point, it wouldn't make sense to rule anything out. We basically have a plan for how things will proceed from here. But we'll see," director of men's professional football Horst Heldt said regarding the Bundesliga club's plans.

Eta made history as the first woman to coach a men's team in Europe's top leagues after she was appointed coach at Bundesliga club Union Berlin last Saturday.

She will initially have the job until the end of the season, replacing Steffen Baumgart, who was dismissed by the club.

Eta was expected to take over as coach for the women's team in the upcoming season, but her future is now unclear.

Heldt said that he hasn't had any personnel discussions yet with women's team managing director Jennifer Ziety.

Union are currently 11th in the Bundesliga, seven points from the relegation zone. Eta will make her coaching debut on Saturday against VfL Wolfsburg.

In 2023, she became the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history at Union. She was the first female assistant in the men's Champions League. Eta was appointed head coach of the club's under-19 side in March 2025.