Eta, 34, takes the reins on an interim basis until the end of the current campaign in June. Her appointment follows the club’s decision to part ways with head coach Steffen Baumgart after a string of poor results left the Berlin-based side fighting for their top-flight survival.
Tactical Shift After Heidenheim Defeat
The managerial change was triggered by a disappointing 3-1 defeat at bottom-side 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The loss highlighted a concerning trend for Union Berlin, who have managed only two victories in 14 matches since the winter break. While the club currently occupies 11th place in the standings with 32 points, they sit just seven points above the relegation playoff spot with five matches remaining.
Horst Heldt, Union’s Director of Professional Football, emphasized the need for a "fresh start" to navigate a precarious situation. Along with Baumgart, assistant coaches Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna were also relieved of their duties to make way for the new leadership structure.
From Assistant to History-Maker: Who is Marie-Louise Eta?
Marie-Louise Eta is no stranger to breaking barriers. A former professional player with Werder Bremen and BV Cloppenburg, she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2010 before transitioning into coaching. Her rise through the ranks at Union Berlin has been meteoric:
* 2023: Appointed as the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history.
* 2024: Became the first woman to coach in the UEFA Men's Champions League during Union's group stage campaign.
* 2025: Served as an assistant and U-19 coach while preparing to take over Union’s professional women's team.
The club clarified that Eta's promotion to the men's head coach role is an interim measure before she transitions to her previously planned role as the head coach of the Union Berlin women’s first team this summer.
The Mission: Bundesliga Survival
Eta’s immediate focus will be on stabilizing a squad that has struggled for goals and defensive consistency in recent weeks. Her debut as head coach is scheduled for next Saturday at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei against relegation rivals VfL Wolfsburg.
"I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task," Eta said in an official statement. "One of Union's strengths has always been the ability to pull together in such situations. I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team."
With five matches left to secure their Bundesliga status, all eyes will be on the capital city as Marie-Louise Eta leads "Die Eisernen" into a new era of football management.