Union Berlin rules out permanent men’s role for Marie-Louise Eta despite historic appointment Marie-Louise Eta will make history this Saturday when she becomes the first woman to coach a men’s team in any of Europe’s top five leagues, taking charge of Union Berlin against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
But even before her five-game interim stint begins, club president Dirk Zingler has ruled out the possibility of her taking the men’s job permanently.
Eta, 34, is set to lead Union for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, with the club winless in its last three matches and just two victories in 14. Union currently sits 11th in the 18-team table, still not mathematically safe from relegation.
However, Zingler insisted that Eta’s long-term future remains with the club’s women’s side, in line with a previously signed agreement.
Framing her interim spell as an audition for the men’s role, he argued, would undermine both her and the women’s game.
“If she does well and stays with the men, or doesn’t and goes to the women, that’s not a discussion I’m having at all,” Zingler told Sky Sport Germany. “That would be a disservice to her and to women’s football.”
His stance appears to contradict sporting director Horst Heldt, who had earlier left the door open for Eta to be considered for the permanent role.
Eta, for her part, has played down the noise, focusing only on results during her short tenure. “Next year, in any case, I’ll still be a coach,” she said.
Already a trailblazer, Eta previously became the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and has also worked with Union’s Under-19 men’s team.
Her appointment has drawn widespread attention, including sexist abuse on social media, prompting the club to publicly defend her.
Published on Apr 17, 2026
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Marie-Louise Eta will make history this Saturday when she becomes the first woman to coach a men’s team in any of Europe’s top five leagues, taking charge of Union Berlin against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
But even before her five-game interim stint begins, club president Dirk Zingler has ruled out the possibility of her taking the men’s job permanently.
Eta, 34, is set to lead Union for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, with the club winless in its last three matches and just two victories in 14. Union currently sits 11th in the 18-team table, still not mathematically safe from relegation.
However, Zingler insisted that Eta’s long-term future remains with the club’s women’s side, in line with a previously signed agreement.
Framing her interim spell as an audition for the men’s role, he argued, would undermine both her and the women’s game.
“If she does well and stays with the men, or doesn’t and goes to the women, that’s not a discussion I’m having at all,” Zingler told Sky Sport Germany. “That would be a disservice to her and to women’s football.”
His stance appears to contradict sporting director Horst Heldt, who had earlier left the door open for Eta to be considered for the permanent role.
Eta, for her part, has played down the noise, focusing only on results during her short tenure. “Next year, in any case, I’ll still be a coach,” she said.
Already a trailblazer, Eta previously became the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and has also worked with Union’s Under-19 men’s team.
Her appointment has drawn widespread attention, including sexist abuse on social media, prompting the club to publicly defend her.
Published on Apr 17, 2026
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