US EditionEta Loses First Game as Bundesliga’s First Female Coach, Dortmund Gives Bayern Chance to Seal Title
- On Saturday, 34-year-old Marie-Louise Eta made history as the first woman to lead a men's team in Europe's top five leagues, though her Union Berlin debut ended in a 2-1 defeat against Wolfsburg.
- The club turned to Eta for the remainder of the season after sacking Steffen Baumgart, a former fan-favourite, following a 3-1 defeat at Heidenheim. Union Berlin currently sits 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga, fighting to avoid relegation.
- Wolfsburg struck first as Patrick Wimmer scored in the 11th minute, and Christian Eriksen set up Dzenan Pejcinovic to double the advantage. Former Nottingham Forest forward Oliver Burke halved the deficit late, but Union could not complete a comeback.
- Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said he was "really happy" to see Eta get the role, while relegation rival Alexander Blessin of St Pauli added that "if the quality is there, every person deserves it."
- Eta previously coached Union Berlin's U19s and is slated to lead the women's team from next season. Her historic appointment is viewed as a "strong signal for professional football and for women in top-level sports," Berlin's mayor said.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Bayern on cusp of title as Dortmund lose, Eta beaten on debut
Bayern Munich is close to winning the Bundesliga title. Borussia Dortmund lost to Hoffenheim, giving Bayern a significant lead. Union Berlin's new coach, Marie-Louise Eta, faced a defeat in her debut match. Leverkusen also suffered a loss. These results impact the league standings for various teams.
On 18 April 2026 it was marked as a historic day in the Bundesliga: Marie-Louise Eta became the first woman to lead a male team in a match of the five major European leagues. Eta, 34 years old, assumed as interim coach of the Berlin Union after the dismissal of Baumgart, after having been assistant to the first team. She accepted the challenge with enthusiasm, calling it a challenging task. The match in front of the Wolfsburg was played in the s…
Associated Press News
Eta loses first game as Bundesliga's first female coach, Dortmund gives Bayern chance to seal title
Marie-Louise Eta became the first female coach to take charge of a Bundesliga game but her Union Berlin team failed to live up to the occasion with a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg.
Great attention, no points: Marie-Louise Eta's tenure as coach of Union Berlin begins with a 1:2 against VfL Wolfsburg. He draws new hope in the struggle for the remaining class.
Union Berlin suffered a 1-2 home defeat to Wolfsburg in the 30th round of the German Bundesliga.
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