BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin has appointed a man, Mauro Lustrinelli, to replace Marie-Louise Eta in the Bundesliga. first female head coach.
Lustrinelli took command without warning. Thun to Swiss Championship A year after leading them to promotion, he has agreed to join Union next season, the club announced on Thursday, without disclosing the length of the deal.
“The 50-year-old Swiss brings international experience and a clear development-oriented playing philosophy,” Union said in a statement.
Lustrinelli takes over from Etta, who successfully ensured Union’s Bundesliga survival after taking over from the sacked Stefan Baumgart in April. Etta was appointed on an interim basis for Union’s final five games of the season. After starting with two losses, her team won a draw and finished with two wins, eventually finishing 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga.
As originally planned, Eta will coach Union’s women’s team next season. The contract she signed on April 3rd He is the successor to Airian Pose.
Union will be hoping Eta and Rustrinelli will have similar success with their respective teams.
Former forward Rustrinelli helped Thun qualify for the Champions League with 20 goals in 2005, played 12 times for Switzerland and was part of the squad that took part in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Rustrinelli turned into a coach in 2012 and initially held various positions at Thun before taking charge of the Swiss Under-21 team in 2018 and leading them to two European titles. He returned to the second division Thun in 2022 and led the team to promotion. Then the Swiss Championship Last season.
Union sporting director Horst Herdt said: “Rustrinelli has proven his ability to build and develop teams in recent years. Winning the championship title with the newly promoted team speaks volumes not only of his expertise but also of his ability to lead and inspire a group.”
“His approach to the game also fits perfectly with our vision. We play a more aggressive style of football, increasingly integrate our young players, and aim to achieve success together,” said Heldt.
Union have had good experience with Swiss coaches since Urs Fischer took charge of the Köpenick-based club. First promotion to Bundesliga In 2019, they moved further up the rankings and reached the climax of their bid to qualify for the Champions League in 2023.
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