Marie-Louise Eta makes history as the first female head coach of the men’s Bundesliga and takes charge at Union Berlin

Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female coach in charge of a men’s team in the Bundesliga as it seeks to secure the competition’s survival.

The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired along with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the last-place team’s 3-1 defeat in Heidenheim on Saturday, Union announced just before midnight.

Eta, who coached the under-19 men’s team and earlier this month agreed to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to ensure the survival of Union’s Bundesliga.

She made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and in the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” football leagues. She had to fulfill head coach Nenad Bjelica’s media duties when he was suspended for three games in 2024.

“I am very pleased that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before becoming head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement.

Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-2025 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.

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«We have had a completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we will not be fooled. Our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the competition.»

The defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points ahead of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.

«Two wins from fourteen games since the winter break and the performances of the past few weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn the tide with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a new start,» said Heldt.

Union will host Wolfsburg next weekend, which is also fighting for survival.

Published on April 12, 2026