Marie-Louise Eta has been named Union Berlin’s interim head coach for the remainder of the Bundesliga season in a landmark appointment.
The 34-year-old, who has stepped in following Steffen Baumgart’s dismissal, is the first woman appointed to manage a men’s team in the big five European leagues.
Baumgart left Union, who are 11th in the Bundesliga table, after their 3-1 defeat to bottom side Heidenheim on Saturday.
Die Eisernen are seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation play-off place with five games remaining, but have won just two of their 14 league matches this calendar year.
The men’s first team will tackle the final phase of the season under the leadership of Marie-Louise Eta, previously coach of the U-19s and future head coach of the women’s first team.
“One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such… pic.twitter.com/gzfSJoORqW
— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) April 11, 2026
“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Etta, who will become head coach of the club’s women’s side at the end of the season.
“I am delighted 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.”
Eta has also served as Union’s assistant and under-19s coach, while she also deputised for suspended then-manager Nenad Bjelica during a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024.