Marie-Louise Eta, the interim head coach of Union Berlin, has once again etched her name in the history books. Over the weekend, she became the first woman to secure a victory in a top-tier men’s football league. Despite this milestone, all indications suggest she will move to coach Union Berlin’s women’s team next season, as originally planned.
“Not long ago, I signed a contract with full conviction for the women’s team of FC Union Berlin, so I am not thinking about anything else,” Eta said after her team’s 3-1 away win against Mainz 05 on Saturday.
The triumph initially carried only statistical significance, as Union had already secured their survival in the Bundesliga. However, it marked the first time in the history of the German top flight—and in any major men’s football league worldwide—that a female coach led a men’s team to victory.
“We also won for her because she has done a good job and deserved it,” said captain Christopher Trimmel. Opposing coach Urs Fischer, who previously managed Union Berlin during Eta’s internship there, congratulated his counterpart, calling it “a well-deserved victory.”
Eta downplayed the notion that the win was historic simply because she is a female coach. “That wasn’t the point. The point was to do the best job possible and earn points,” she said.
The former player took charge of the men’s first team with five matches left in the season. Though she went winless in her first four games, she transformed Union into a more attacking side. In her debut match, a 2-1 loss to Wolfsburg, Union registered more shots on target than in any previous fixture this campaign. Her second game, a 3-1 defeat at Leipzig, was also a loss. She earned her first point with a 2-2 draw against Cologne, which mathematically secured survival. That result seemed to relieve the team, leading to the victory over Mainz 05.
Her overall record across four matches may not be spectacular, but the mission to avoid relegation was accomplished, and the team displayed a convincing style of play. From the outset, the club emphasized that Eta was only an interim appointment for the men’s side. President Dirk Zingler stated it would be disrespectful to the women’s team, which Eta will lead next season.
Union’s women’s team has enjoyed steady growth in recent years, rising from the third division to the top flight. The club aims to build on that momentum and compete near the top of the table after finishing mid-table in their debut campaign.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin also became the first Bundesliga club to surpass 100,000 spectators in a single season, reflecting strong fan support. Ailien Poese, the coach who guided the women’s team from the third tier to the Bundesliga, will step aside to coach in the youth setup. Barring any surprises, Marie-Louise Eta will take her place.
