Following the unexpected dismissal of head coach Steffen Baumgart on Saturday evening, Union Berlin has announced that they will once again rely on the expertise of pioneering female coach Marie-Louise Eta, 34, for an interim head coaching position. The news of Baumgart’s sacking, released just before midnight, was accompanied by official statements from managing director Horst Heldt and Eta herself regarding the 34-year-old’s appointment.
Who is Marie-Louise Eta?
Details regarding Eta’s previous interim role with Union during the 2023/24 Bundesliga season have been previously reported. Eta shared co-coaching duties with former colleague Marco Grote, effectively bridging the transitions between the tenures of head coaches Urs Fischer and Nenad Bjelica.
While Eta did not exclusively lead the men’s team during those periods, she did represent Union at several press conferences. Since stepping back from that public role, Eta has been coaching the FCU U19 squad and is slated to take charge of the Union Berlin women’s team this summer. The FCU women’s team has recently undergone a professional revamp and secured promotion to the FrauenBundesliga.
How Eta is Making History
This latest appointment officially designates Eta as the interim head coach, not merely an assistant. This development marks a significant first for the Bundesliga, as no woman has previously coached on the touchline for a German top-flight men’s club. However, it’s worth noting that journalists who observed Eta during the 2023/24 season observed her functioning as Grote’s equal both on and off the pitch over two years ago.
Eta’s upcoming role will not be entirely without precedent for her.
Eta’s Statement on Her Appointment
In a statement released by the club, Eta commented: “The task of staying in the Bundesliga is not yet secured, given the point gaps in the lower half of the table. One of Union’s strengths has always been to pool all our resources together in such situations. And of course, I am convinced that we will secure the decisive points with the team.“
