BERLIN (AP) – Union Berlin’s Marie-Louise Eta says she understands the uproar surrounding becoming the Bundesliga’s first female head coach but just wants to keep her job.
Eta made her first media appearance four days later, on Thursday. Appointed after the end of the season After Stefan Baumgart was fired. She has 5 games.
“For me, it’s always about football and working with people and what I like most is enjoying as much success as possible together,” Eta said.
This isn’t her first time breaking barriers. she First female assistant coach In 2023, he will also participate in the Bundesliga with Union, and has been working as Union Berlin’s U-19 men’s coach since July.
“I’m trusted here, and I appreciate that trust,” she said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy that there’s a Bundesliga game this weekend. We know that this has an impact on society and maybe even sends a message. We understand that. But the most important thing now is what happens in the next few days. We want to be as prepared as possible for the Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg.”
Union have just two wins in 2026 and are just seven points out of the relegation zone. Wolfsburg’s predicament has worsened, as they are second from bottom with just seven points remaining with five matches remaining.
The announcement of Eta, 34,’s appointment sparked sexist and derogatory comments on social media. Labor unions object.
Eta did not pay any attention to the negative comments, but pointed to the overwhelmingly positive reaction, including from rival teams in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said he was “excited” about Eta’s appointment.
“It’s always easy to downplay these important moments and say she’s just a coach like any other coach,” Kompany said. “But at the end of the day, this is something really special. It opens up opportunities for young women who feel like they can be coaches too. It opens doors. I wish her all the best.”
St. Pauli’s Alexander Bleshin said Eta deserved a chance.
“If the quality is there, if everyone deserves it, then gender doesn’t matter. I think it’s a shame that we’re still talking about it,” Blethyn said.
break down barriers
Etta is the first female head coach in the five major men’s soccer leagues: Spain, England, France, Italy and Germany.
The Union’s small media room is usually ample, but on Thursday it was packed with text writers, videographers and photographers. Spanish-speaking journalists testified that there was interest far beyond Berlin’s Köpenick district, where Union is based.
Eta cheerfully entered the room and said, “Hello!” He then quickly shifted his focus to the team’s game scheduled for Saturday.
“Basically, I understand that there is interest. Something similar already happened about two-and-a-half years ago,” Eta said, recalling his time as an assistant coach. “I know that very well. And basically what was always important to me was to focus on the day-to-day aspects and the sense of community that happens on the pitch. It’s about football, it’s about performance.”
Union sports director Horst Herdt on Monday did not rule out the possibility of Eta taking charge of the men’s team beyond the remaining five league games, but Eta was already set to take over the women’s team.
“Next year, I’m still going to be coaching anyway,” she said.
Eta said she hopes her appointment “opens new avenues and doors and perhaps inspires young girls to realize that anything is possible.”
But she made it clear that she hoped that would not be an issue.
“I hope that in the coming years all this will become even less important and that eventually football will become the only deciding factor.”
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