Marie-Louise Eta has been appointed as Union Berlin's interim head coach until the end of the season, becoming the first female head coach in the men's Bundesliga. Steffen Baumgart was fired as Union Berlin's head coach, with assistant coaches Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna also dismissed. According to major media reports, the firings occurred after Union Berlin's 3-1 loss at Heidenheim on Saturday.
Union Berlin currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga table with 32 points and five games remaining. According to major media reports, the team is only seven points clear of 16th-placed St Pauli, who would face a relegation play-off. Union Berlin has had two wins from fourteen matches since the winter break, highlighting their poor recent form.
Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure.
In January 2024, Marie-Louise Eta became the first female coach to take charge of a Bundesliga fixture, guiding Union Berlin to victory over Darmstadt, which demonstrates her previous experience with the team. The specific terms or conditions of her interim contract have not been disclosed. It remains unclear what immediate changes in tactics or team selection she will implement, and how players reacted to her appointment has not been confirmed.
The financial implications of firing Steffen Baumgart and his assistants are unknown, as are future coaching arrangements for the women's team.
I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union's strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations. And, of course, I am convinced that we will secure the crucial points with the team.