Union Berlin rules out a permanent male role for Marie-Louise Eta, despite a historic appointment

Marie-Louise Eta will make history this Saturday when she becomes the first woman to coach a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues and takes charge of Union Berlin against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

But before her five-match interim period begins, club president Dirk Zingler has ruled out the possibility of her taking on the men’s job permanently.

Eta, 34, will manage Union for the rest of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, with the club winless in their last three games and just two wins in 14. Union are currently 11th in the 18-team table, and are still mathematically not safe from relegation.

However, Zingler stressed that Eta’s long-term future remains with the women’s side of the club, in line with a previously signed agreement.

Framing her interim period as an audition for the male role would, he argued, undermine both her and the female role.

“If she does well and stays with the men, or not and goes to the women, then that is not a discussion I am having at all,” Zingler told Sky Sport Germany. “That would be a disservice to her and women’s football.”

His position appears to contradict sporting director Horst Heldt, who had previously left the door open for Eta to be considered for the permanent role.

Eta, for its part, has muted the noise and focused solely on results during its short tenure. “At least I’ll still be a coach next year,” she said.

Already a pioneer, Eta previously became the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and has also worked with the Union Under-19 men’s team.

Her appointment has attracted widespread attention, including sexist abuse on social media, prompting the club to publicly defend her.

Published on April 17, 2026