Union Berlin rule out Marie-Louise Eta permanent appointment: 'A disservice to women's football'

Bayer LeverkusenBayern MunichBorussia DortmundEintracht FrankfurtRB LeipzigWolfsburgScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsUnion Berlin rule out Marie-Louise Eta permanent appointment: ‘A disservice to women’s football’Eta is set to take charge of Union Berlin's women's side next season Ralf Hirschberger / AFP via Getty Images Share articleUnion Berlin president Dirk Zingler says Marie-Louise Eta will not coach the men’s team beyond the remaining league games this season, regardless of results. Eta, the first woman to be named head coach of a men’s club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, is in charge of Union Berlin’s men’s side until the end of the season before taking over the club’s women’s team in the summer. Zingler said changing the 34-year-old’s commitment to the women’s team if she is successful during her five games with the men’s side would be a “disservice” to women’s football. “Two weeks ago, Marie-Louise Eta signed a contract for the Women’s Bundesliga with great conviction, and we both did so with great conviction,” Union’s president told Sky Sport Germany. “If she’s really good, she’ll stay with the men; if she’s not so good, she’ll go to the women — I’m not even having that discussion. It’s always a professional, fact-based decision who coaches which team, and to associate her with this discussion would do her, and women’s football as a whole, a disservice. “Marie-Louise Eta will be in charge here for five games, and after that she will take over the women’s team.” Eta was appointed Union head coach on Saturday following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, who was sacked after a 3-1 loss to bottom club Heidenheim. Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture between Union and Wolfsburg is her first game in charge. The former Germany youth international stepped up from her role as Union’s under-19 coach to take the job. She previously took charge of the Union first team in the Bundesliga in 2024, when standing in for the suspended Nenad Bjelica. On Monday, the club’s director of football, Horst Heldt condemned the sexism that followed the announcement of Eta’s appointment, while also not dismissing the idea of her continuing with the men’s team next season. “I think at the moment it wouldn’t make sense to rule anything out beyond that,” Heldt said. Union are 11th in the Bundesliga, seven points clear of relegation and 10 points from a European place. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Ali Rampling is a Deputy Managing Editor at The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as the Women's Football Editor at 90min. Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich. Follow Ali on Twitter @AliRampling