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Eta joined Union Berlin's coaching staff in July 2023 Marie-Louise Eta has become the first woman appointed to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five leagues after being named interim head coach of Bundesliga side Union Berlin. Her appointment until the end of the season follows the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, whose team lost 3-1 to bottom side FC Heidenheim on Saturday. Union Berlin, who sit 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga, are 11 points clear of the automatic relegation zone with five matches remaining but have only won twice in 14 league outings in 2026. Eta, 34, is no stranger to breaking barriers, becoming the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach, also with Union Berlin, in November 2023. She deputised for then-manager Nenad Bjelica, who was serving a three-match suspension, during a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024 to become the first woman to lead a Bundesliga team from the touchline. Eta, a former Germany youth international and Women's Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, has been working as Union Berlin's under-19s manager since July 2025 and will become the club's women's head coach in the summer. "We have had a hugely disappointing second half of the season and will not allow ourselves to be blinded by our league position, " said Horst Heldt, Union's director of men's football. "Our situation remains precarious. The performances shown in recent weeks do not give us confidence that we can turn things around with the current set-up. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start. " Eta pointed to the challenges she faces, with Union seven points ahead of St Pauli, who sit in the relegation play-off spot. "Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure, " she said. "I am delighted the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union's strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. "I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points. " Eta's appointment comes more than 25 years after Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men's professional team in Europe when she joined Italian third division side Viterbese in 1999. Corinne Diacre spent three seasons in charge of Clermont Foot in France's Ligue 2 from 2014 to 2017, leaving to become head coach of the France women's team. In July 2023, Hannah Dingley became the first woman to manage a professional men's team in English football when she was appointed caretaker boss of Forest Green Rovers, although she did not lead the side in a competitive fixture. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Scottish Premiership: Will Rangers win at Falkirk to go back within point of Hearts? Juddering Mc Ilroy simply can't stop riding Masters rollercoaster Championship: Birmingham City v Wrexham - live text The final five candidates face their toughest interviews yet Paul Sinha on abandoning medicine for TV fame Preview the new drama from the creator of Baby Reindeer From Rocky to Jawbone: Why does cinema love boxing? Juddering Mc Ilroy simply can't stop riding Masters rollercoaster What next for heavyweight division after Fury's win? 'Big punch in the face' - could Arsenal really blow title from here? England far from perfect but Red Roses machine marches on 'Astounding' Mc Ilroy birdies six of last seven to hold record Masters lead. Video'Astounding' Mc Ilroy birdies six of last seven to hold record Masters lead Sutton's predictions v boxing promoter & Arsenal fan Frank Warren A tough season, playing angry, and messaging Michael Owen Will this be the biggest Women's Six Nations so far? Six big questions for Fury's fifth return from retirement What do you think is the most beautiful F1 car of all time? Seve's dance to Tiger's triumph - the art of a great golf photo Why La Liga teams will play in retro shirts this weekend Raya? Neuer? Maignan? Who are world's best goalkeepers? Why Liverpool ticket price protests matter to rival fans I felt really alone after World Cup win - Kildunne Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.