Marie-Louise Eta Makes Bundesliga History as First Woman to Coach Men's Team

On Saturday, Marie-Louise Eta will take charge of Union Berlin's men's team for their Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg. This appointment makes her the first woman to serve as head coach of a men's team in Germany's Bundesliga and in any of Europe's 'big five' leagues (England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany). Eta, 34, is also the youngest head coach currently in the Bundesliga.

She takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was dismissed following a 3-1 defeat to Heidenheim. Union Berlin are currently 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga, having won two of their last 14 matches.

Background and Career

Eta previously played as a midfielder in the Frauen-Bundesliga, winning three league titles and the Champions League with Turbine Potsdam. She joined Union Berlin in 2023 as an assistant coach for the men's team, becoming the first woman to hold such a position in the Bundesliga.

She has also been coaching the club's under-19 team and is scheduled to become the head coach of Union Berlin's women's team next season.

"I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task... I'm convinced that we'll get the crucial points with the team." – Marie-Louise Eta

Other women have coached men's teams in Europe, including Carolina Morace (Viterbese, 1999), Corinne Diacre (Clermont Foot, 2014-2017), and Hannah Dingley (Forest Green Rovers, 2023 caretaker). In Germany, Sabrina Wittman coaches third-tier side FC Ingolstadt.

Reactions to the Appointment

The historic appointment has drawn reactions from across the football world.

• Horst Heldt, Union Berlin Sporting Director: "We have 100 per cent confidence in Loui... I find it crazy that we have to deal with this in this day and age, that we have to justify ourselves." The club has responded to online criticism of the appointment.
• Sarina Wiegman, England Women's National Team Coach: Described Eta as a "trailblazer" and said the appointment shows football is progressing.
• Alexander Blessin, FC St. Pauli Coach: "If the quality is there, every person deserves it, then gender doesn't matter. I find it a shame that we're still discussing it."
• Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich Coach: Said he was "really happy" for Eta and that such appointments open opportunities for young girls in football.

Wider Context in Football

Union Berlin opened a co-ed training base last year, which club president Dirk Zingler said he hoped would become the norm in football.

In women's football, male head coaches are predominant. In Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga, 6 of 14 teams (43%) are coached by women. At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were women.