Union Berlin have named upcoming female coach Marie-Louise Eta as their interim head coach until the end of the season.
She replaces Steffen Baumgart who was sacked after a dire 3-1 loss against bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim.
Baumgart wasn’t exactly doing badly and the team aren’t in relegation danger, but with no clear progression Union decided to act fast.
However, no one really predicted such a change, or the replacement.
Even leading outlet Kicker wrote: “Hardly anyone saw this coming.”
Baumgart’s assistants, Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna, were also dismissed, leaving space for Eta to come in.
The 34-year-old was in charge of the Under-19s and next season will be the head coach of the women’s first team.
In taking the role, she becomes not just the first female head coach of a top flight German team, but the first in any of Europe’s major leagues.
Union Berlin’s statement
Discussing the choice, Managing Director Horst Heldt said: “We’ve had an absolutely disappointing second half of the season so far, and we’re not letting the league table fool us.
“Our situation remains precarious, and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.
“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break, along with the corresponding performances of recent weeks don’t give us the confidence that we can turn things around in our current setup.”
He added: “I am delighted that Marie-Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s professional team as planned in the summer.”
Eta has her say
Commenting for the first time as head coach, she said: “Given the point gaps in the bottom half of the table, staying in the Bundesliga is not yet guaranteed.
“One of Union’s strengths has always been their ability to pull together in such situations.
“And of course, I am convinced that we will get the crucial points with this team.”
Who’s next in Berlin?
Union have long been linked to Real Madrid legend Raul as their next coach.
The former Madrid Castilla manager has been out of work since leaving his home team at the start of 2025.
Raul previously spent time in Germany where he became an icon at Schalke.
According to many insiders, he’s also believed to be far more talented than his replacement at Castilla, Alvaro Arbeloa.
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