Union Berlin name Marie-Louise Eta as first female Bundesliga head coach
Union Berlin have made history by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as their interim head coach until the end of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart.
The 34-year-old becomes the first woman to lead a men’s team in any of Europe’s top five top-flight leagues.
She replaces the recently dismissed Baumgart, who was sacked on Saturday after a damaging defeat to bottom club Heidenheim.
Relegation fears prompt managerial change
The capital club currently sit 11th in the German top tier and are 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
However, a dismal run of just two victories from 14 matches since the winter break left the hierarchy feeling mathematically vulnerable.
Eta will guide the senior men’s squad for the remainder of the current campaign before permanently taking charge of the club’s women’s team this summer.
“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” Eta said.
Pulling together for top-flight survival
“I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task,” the new interim boss added.
“One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”
“And, of course, I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.”
Following in pioneer footsteps
While other European clubs have previously handed the reins to female managers, none have done so at the highest echelon of the men’s game.
French side Clermont Foot appointed Corinne Diacre as a history-making head coach in 2014, while Carolina Morace had a brief spell with Italian third-division outfit Viterbese.
Union’s director of football, Horst Heldt, admitted that the team’s precarious situation and recent performances forced the board to seek a fresh start.
“We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season so far and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position,” Heldt stated.
