In a landmark moment for global football, Union Berlin has officially appointed Marie-Louise Eta as their head coach until the end of the 2025–26 season.
As of Sunday, April 12, 2026, Eta becomes the first woman ever to lead a men’s team in the history of the Bundesliga, as well as the first in any of Europe’s “Big Five” leagues.
The decision comes following a “crisis meeting” on Saturday evening, after Union’s 3-1 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim proved to be the final straw for the tenure of Steffen Baumgart.
The Details of the Appointment
- Duration: Eta will lead the first team for the final five matches of the season (until June 2026).
- The Mission: Secure Bundesliga survival. Despite sitting 11th, Union are only seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot following a dismal run of just two wins in their last 14 games.
- The Staff: Assistant coaches Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna have also left the club alongside Baumgart.
Who is Marie-Louise Eta?
The 34-year-old is no stranger to breaking barriers at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei:
- The Pioneer: In 2023, she made history as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga under Nenad Bjelica.
- Champions League Pedigree: As a player, she was a standout midfielder, winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Turbine Potsdam in 2010.
- Coaching Success: Before this interim appointment, she was leading Union’s U-19 men’s team and had already been announced as the head coach for the Union Berlin Women’s team starting in the summer of 2026.
“The Ability to Pull Together”
In her first official statement as head coach, Eta emphasized the club’s famous collective spirit:
“I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.”
Director of Men’s Football, Horst Heldt, explained that the club chose Eta not for the “headline,” but because of her tactical expertise and the deep respect she already commands within the dressing room.
What’s Next?
Eta’s first match in charge will be a high-stakes encounter against VfL Wolfsburg next Saturday. With the eyes of the world now on Köpenick, Union Berlin has once again proven why they are one of the most unconventional and forward-thinking clubs in professional football.
