Marie-Louise Eta appointed as first female coach in Bundesliga history

Following a 3-1 loss to Heidenheim on the 29th matchday of the Bundesliga, Union Berlin has dismissed its head coach Steffen Baumgart. In a historic move, the club appointed 34-year-old Marie-Louise Eta as the new coach to lead the men's professional team through the remainder of the season. Eta, who previously served as the coach for the club's U19 team, becomes the first woman to manage a team in the top flight of German men's football. This decision was officially announced by the club on April 11, 2026. Eta is already slated to transition to managing the club's women's team starting next season. The appointment comes as Union Berlin navigates a difficult period, though the team is reportedly not currently in immediate danger of relegation. The announcement represents a significant milestone in professional football coaching appointments.