Marie-Louise Eta Makes History as Bundesliga’s First Female Head Coach

Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as head coach of its men’s team, making her the first woman to lead a men’s team in any of Europe’s top-five leagues, which include Germany, England, Spain, Italy, and France.

The 34-year-old was appointed on April 11, 2026, to serve as head coach for the remainder of the season. Eta takes over following the dismissal of head coach Steffen Baumgart and his assistants, Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna, which occurred on the night of April 11, 2026.

The decision to change leadership followed a 3-1 loss to last-place Heidenheim on April 11, 2026. The club is currently positioned 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga division, holding a seven-point lead over St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds of competition remaining.

Club Rationale and League Standing

Union Berlin’s director of men’s professional football, Horst Heldt, indicated that the club’s current league position is misleading and that the team’s status remains precarious. Heldt noted that the club has experienced a hugely disappointing second half of the season and requires points to guarantee its place in the league.

Two wins from 14 matches since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can still turn things around with the current set-up. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start.

Horst Heldt, Union Berlin director of men’s professional football

Eta, who had previously been coaching the club’s under-19 men’s team, will fill the head coach role on an interim basis. This appointment precedes her planned transition to head coach of Union Berlin’s women’s professional team in the summer.

Eta’s Coaching History and Background

Marie-Louise Eta is a former professional player whose playing career ended when she was 26. Since then, she has established a series of milestones within the Bundesliga and European football.

During the 2023-24 season, Eta became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for a men’s team in the Bundesliga, as well as across the top divisions of Europe’s five biggest leagues.

In 2024, she further extended her history-making trajectory when she filled in for head coach Nenad Bjelica during a three-game suspension. This period saw her become the first woman to manage a game in the men’s Bundesliga and the first woman coach to be present in a men’s Champions League dugout.

Objectives for the Season Finale

With five games remaining to secure survival in the top flight, Eta has acknowledged the difficulty of the task. She stated that staying in the Bundesliga is not yet guaranteed given the point gaps in the bottom half of the table.

I’m delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been our ability to pull together in such situations.

Marie-Louise Eta, Union Berlin head coach

Eta expressed confidence that the team will secure the necessary points to avoid relegation before she transitions to her permanent role with the women’s first team in the summer.