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 trailblazing female coach Marie-Louise Eta, 34, to serve as interim head coach. The club confirmed Baumgart’s sacking and Eta’s interim appointment shortly before midnight, with statements from managing director Horst Heldt and Eta herself accompanying the news.
Who is Marie-Louise Eta?
As previously reported, Eta has already gained experience with Union Berlin in an interim capacity during the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. She previously co-coached the team alongside Marco Grote, bridging the periods between the tenures of former head coaches Urs Fischer and Nenad Bjelica. While not the sole head coach during those times, Eta was the visible representative for Union at several press conferences.
Since her previous interim role, Eta has been coaching the FCU U19 team and is slated to take over the Union Berlin women’s team this summer. The women’s team has recently undergone a professional revamp and secured promotion to the FrauenBundesliga.
Eta Set to Make Bundesliga History
This latest appointment officially designates Eta as the interim head coach, a significant development as no woman has previously held this position or worked the touchline for a German top-flight men’s club. However, it’s worth noting that during the 2023/24 season, she effectively served as Grote’s equal both on and off the pitch.
Eta’s Statement on Her Appointment
“Staying in the Bundesliga is not yet secured given the point gaps in the lower half of the table,” Eta stated in the club’s official announcement. “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.“
