Germany's women players hail Union coach Eta as new 'role model'

Union Berlin's co-trainer Marie-Louise Eta gestures during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadion. Tom Weller/dpa

Germany internationals Sjoeke Nuesken and Jella Veit believe Union Berlin interim coach Marie-Louise Eta will become a major role model in women's football after becoming the first female to lead a men's team in Europe's top five leagues.

"It is just such a great sign," Chelsea player Nuesken told a news conference in Herzogenaurach ahead of Germany's women hosting Austria in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

"I am actually starting my B coaching licence now and who knows, maybe I will end up somewhere at some point too."

Union's under-19 team coach Eta, 34, has replaced the sacked Steffen Baumgart at the men's Bundesliga club for the rest of the season. She was previously an assistant coach for the men's team and is due to take over Union's senior women's side for next term.

"It is definitely nice to see that these opportunities are open to us and she is definitely a role model," Nuesken added.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Veit expressed similar views about Eta.

"For her, this is a great opportunity and she is now a big role model for others who do this job and also want to follow in her footsteps," she said.