German club Union Berlin have taken a historic step by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of their men’s team, making her the first woman to lead a side in Germany’s top-flight men’s football.

The decision came after Union Berlin dismissed head coach Steffen Baumgart following a disappointing defeat against 1. FC Heidenheim, prompting club officials to make an immediate change on the bench.

Eta, who had been serving within the first-team coaching staff, will remain in charge until the end of the season as the club attempts to stabilise results and regain momentum in the league campaign.

Her appointment represents a landmark moment for German football. While women have previously coached men’s teams in other countries, no woman had ever taken charge of a club competing in Germany’s top professional division before now.

The 34-year-old coach is no stranger to breaking new ground. After joining Union Berlin’s coaching setup, she became the first female assistant coach to work with a Bundesliga men’s team and gained recognition for her tactical work and leadership inside the dressing room. Club management’s decision signals confidence in continuity rather than bringing in an external replacement during a challenging period.

Union Berlin, who enjoyed rapid success in recent seasons including European competition qualification, have struggled for consistency this year, increasing pressure on the coaching staff. By promoting Eta, the club has opted for stability while simultaneously making history.

Background

Women managing men’s professional teams remains rare worldwide, though precedents exist. French coach Corinne Diacre previously managed Clermont Foot in Ligue 2, while England’s Hannah Dingley briefly took interim charge of Forest Green Rovers in 2023.

Eta’s promotion, however, places her among the first women to lead a team at the highest level of European men’s club football — a milestone widely seen as a significant step toward greater inclusion in the sport.