Article body analysed
Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.
By submitting your information you agree to the
Terms & Conditions
and
Privacy Policy
and are aged 16 or over.
Your membership journey starts here.
Keep exploring and earning more as a member.
Football Quizzes Quick quizzes for football fans. Football Crosswords Football-themed crossword challenges.
Explore your membership
benefits.
Find the subscription that suits you
We’ve highlighted the subscriptions our members get the most value from.
Union Berlin's Marie-Louise Eta is not the first female head coach in the men's game
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Want to add more newsletters? Five times a week Four Four Two Daily Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more. Once a week . .. And it’s LIVE! Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off! Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Bundesliga side Union Berlin have made history after appointing Marie-Louise Eta as their new head coach. They are the first club in Europe’s top five leagues to have a female head coach, with Eta taking the job on an interim basis until the end of the season. She had previously been the club’s assistant, also making history as the first female to hold that role across Europe’s top five leagues. England manager Sarina Wiegman said of the appointment: "It's great. She's a trailblazer and I think this was a matter of time anyway. "Congratulations to her and Berlin. It's exciting. It shows that again football is moving up. Get VIP Lionesses tickets HERE with Seat Unique Watching the Lionesses live is an unforgettable way to experience top-tier football from one of the world's best teams, and the hospitality offerings are truly world-class. Whether you choose a private box or an exclusive lounge, you'll enjoy a VIP entrance, premium padded seating with exceptional views, and high-quality dining that ranges from relaxed handheld offerings to refined four-course set menus. It is the ultimate matchday experience for families and fans alike. "There's women in society everywhere and the next step is also in football, male and female. " There will be plenty of interest in Eta’s progress with Union Berlin in the coming weeks, with her first Bundesliga game at home to Wolfsburg on Saturday. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. The 34-year-old trailblazer, who previously served as the club's assistant coach and U19 manager, steps in for the final five matches of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart. It serves as a landmark appointment marking a defining moment for representation in football as Eta prepares to guide the club through a critical relegation battle before transitioning to lead Union's women's team this summer. But which other men’s professional clubs have been led by female head coaches? Four Four Two takes a look.
Eta is not the first woman to have led a men’s team in Germany. That was achieved by Sabrina Wittman, who took charge of FC Ingolstadt in the third tier in 2024 on an interim basis and then was given the job permanently. Wittmann, just 34, is still with Ingolstadt, and has a win percentage of 34. 78% at the time of writing. “It’s OK to be the first woman, I’m really proud of it, but in the end I want to be a good coach, I want to be a good manager, I want to be a good human being towards my players, ” she said in a recent interview with The Guardian. “It’s about how you want to be seen, not just about being the first. ”
There has been no female head coach of a Premier League team yet, but Forest Green made history in 2023 when they appointed Hannah Dingley on an interim basis. It was a brief stint in July and Dingley did not take charge of any games for the then League Two club, but it was still a significant moment. “It was a very simple decision, ” said Forest Green owner Dale Vince. “Hannah was the most qualified person at the club for the job. Nothing else came into frame. ” She was replaced by David Horseman, before returning to her role as head of academy. She has since gone on to work for the Irish national team and Manchester City.
For longevity, Corinne Diacre is perhaps the most impressive of the female coaches to have taken charge of men’s teams. The forthright 51-year-old spent three seasons with Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot from 2014 to 2017, before going on to manage France’s women and Marseille women. Callum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
©
Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury,
Bath
BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait. ..