Marie-Louise Eta named Bundesliga's first female head coach at Union Berlin

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·13. April 2026

Marie-Louise Eta named Bundesliga's first female head coach at Union Berlin

Marie-Louise Eta has been promoted to replace Steffen Baumgart at Union Berlin, becoming the first woman to take charge of a Bundesliga side, and across the Big 5. L'Équipe reports that she has been appointed until the end of the season.

The decision followed Saturday’s 1-3 defeat at bottom club Heidenheim, with Union in 11th place. Eta’s brief is to secure survival. Union are 11 points clear of the nearest relegation spot, Wolfsburg, after 29 matches.

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The 34-year-old, a former Werder Bremen player, has been on Union’s staff as an assistant since 2023.

She made history in November 2023 as the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach at Union.

In January 2024 she led the team from the touchline during a 1-0 win over Darmstadt while head coach Nenad Bjelica served a suspension, becoming the first woman to do so in the league.

Source: L'Équipe