Marie-Louise Eta has shot to fame this week after being named Union Berlin coach, but not always for good reason.
The first-ever female coach of a major professional men’s team in Europe has been applauded by nearly everyone, with only minor dissent.
One of those was legendary Bundesliga coach Felix Magath, who didn’t have a problem with Eta’s gender, instead that she came from Union’s under-19 team.
Eta criticism from Magath
“I fundamentally believe that it is negligent or perhaps even irresponsible to hand over a Bundesliga team to an under-19 coach,” he said on Sky.
“I couldn’t care less whether the coach was a man or a woman. I don’t know her, I don’t know any other U19 coaches either.
“But we have to understand: the Bundesliga is something completely different from U19 competition.”
Eta responds to criticsm
Responding in her first press conference since, Eta said: “There are always outside opinions. Everyone is entitled to their own and express them.
“I’m glad to have been given this task, to have been trusted.”
She then correctly pointed out her assistant experience in the Bundesliga, adding: “I was already involved here when we secured our place in the league two years ago.”
Then perhaps unhelpfully, Eta was the subject of social media banter from Germany’s most-hated club.
Union face RB Leipzig next up, and they pointed to the club’s unpopularity in a post about travel arrangements for away fans.
“It’s not Leipzig itself that’s the issue—it’s already a beautiful city…” they wrote.
Leipzig then responded with a post of Eta when she worked at the club under Marco Rose.
“Your head coach didn’t just find the city pretty nice…” they replied.
Leave a Reply