Union Berlin’s Eta secures Bundesliga survival after historic April

Inside Union Berlin’s modest training ground, the 35‑year‑old Union Berlin Marie-Louise Eta watched the players line up, aware that a year of firsts was behind her. She reflects on a momentous season that saw her break barriers in Europe’s elite leagues.

Historic April appointment

In April, Eta became the first woman to lead a men’s top‑flight side in one of Europe’s big five leagues, taking over as interim head coach of Union Berlin after Steffen Baumgart was dismissed.

Her mandate was simple: keep Union in the Bundesliga. Over five matches she recorded two wins, a draw and two defeats, guiding the club to an 11th‑place finish.

The milestone was not her first. Three years earlier she broke ground as the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach, and in 2024 she again captained the Union men’s side for a single game.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany praised the appointment, saying it could open doors for younger women who aspire to coach at the highest level.

Eta’s achievement reshapes perceptions of coaching pathways and underscores the growing opportunities for women within the traditionally male‑dominated sport.