Union Berlin hit back at sexism after Marie-Louise Eta appointment: ‘We have her back’

Union Berlin hit back at sexism after Marie-Louise Eta appointment: ‘We have her back’

Union Berlin have hit back at sexist comments after appointing Marie-Louise Eta as their head coach — the first woman to be given the top job at a men’s team in one of Europe’s five biggest leagues.

The club’s social media account posted “the Union family has her back” over any sexism, while the German club’s director of football, Horst Heldt, said critical comments were “embarrassing”.

Union have pushed back on critical comments across social media that Eta is not suitable for the role because she is female.

“I personally haven’t spoken with (Marie-Louise) about it yet,” Heldt told reporters on Monday.

“I’ve noticed it, but I also refuse to read or even just expose myself to that kind of nonsense, because for me, this is about quality — leadership quality. We have 100 percent confidence in Loui, complete conviction.

“I find it insane that we have to deal with this in this day and age. We’re talking about a highly competent leader here, and you can be sure that everyone here at Union, whether in the stands or within the club itself, stands 100 percent behind this decision and will do everything in their power to ensure that this doesn’t lead to any further discussion in the future.

“It’s just embarrassing.”

Eta has been named interim coach for the last five games of the season as Union aims to secure its spot in the Bundesliga for next season. Union previously said she will take over as head coach of the club’s women’s team for next season, but Heldt didn’t rule out her continuing with the men’s team either after this season.

“I think at the moment it wouldn’t make sense to rule anything out beyond that,” he said.

Eta, 34, will oversee the final five Bundesliga games of the season for Union, who are 11th in the standings — seven points clear of relegation and 10 points from a European place.

She was appointed to replace Steffen Baumgart, after a 3-1 loss to bottom club Heidenheim on Saturday.

Eta served as an assistant coach for the German Women’s national team prior to joining Union in 2023. The following year, she became the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in a Bundesliga game, when standing in for the suspended Nenad Bjelica.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Germany, Union Berlin, Soccer, International Football, Bundesliga, Women's Soccer

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