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

Union Berlin's Christian Arbeit and Horst Heldt inform about the change of coach and the new interim head coach Marie-Louise Eta during a press conference at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei. Matthias Koch/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.

Union speak out against sexit comments

Heldt also spoke out against sexist and derogatory comments on social media that have attacked Eta since she was named coach.

"I've noticed it, but I also refuse to actually read it and expose myself to any of that nonsense," he said.

"I think it's crazy that we have to deal with this in this day and age, that we have to justify ourselves. We're talking about a highly competent leader here," he added.

The club's social media team, meanwhile, responded directly to some social media posts.

One user wrote on X: "Any Bundesliga coach who loses to them (Union) has lost respect forever. I don't think there's anything more embarrassing," to which Union replied: "But that's exactly what you are - a sexist."

Union's communications director praised his staff for this clear response.

"We got a little swept up in the social media battle," said Christian Arbeit. "At times, it's embarrassing to see what kind of people dare to expose themselves publicly in a way that’s almost beyond words."