Marie-Louise Eta Profile: First Woman Coach in Europe’s Top Five Leagues

Marie-Louise Eta is a German football coach and former professional player who has made history as one of the first women to take on coaching roles in top-level men’s football in Germany’s Bundesliga.

Union Berlin lost at Heidenheim, sacked the head coach Steffen Baumgart, and put Marie-Louise Eta in charge until the end of the season.

Personal Information

• Full name: Marie-Louise Eta (née Bagehorn)
• Date of birth: July 7 1991
• Age: 34 (as of April 2026 stats reference)
• Nationality: German
• Playing position: Defensive midfielder

Playing Career

Eta began her career at the youth level with Turbine Potsdam, where she quickly rose through the ranks.

As a youth player, she won multiple U17 Bundesliga titles before being promoted to the senior team at just 17 years old.

Her playing career highlights include:

• Turbine Potsdam (2008-2011)
• Won the UEFA Women’s Champions League (2009-10)
• Won three consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles (2009-2011)
• Hamburger SV (2011-2012)
• BV Cloppenburg (2012-2014)
• Werder Bremen (2014-2018)

She retired in 2018 at the age of 26.

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Coaching Career

After retiring, Eta immediately transitioned into coaching, starting with youth development:

• Werder Bremen U15 boys team (2014-2015)
• Assistant coach for the Germany women’s U15 and U17 teams

Earned her UEFA Pro Licence at the German FA academy in Frankfurt

In 2023, she joined Union Berlin, initially working with the U19 team. Her rapid rise saw her move into first-team coaching roles, where she became:

• One of the first female assistant coaches in a Bundesliga men’s team fixture
• A member of Union Berlin’s senior coaching staff during the 2023/24 season

Later part of a historic milestone when she was linked with becoming the first female head coach in a top European men’s league

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Historic Achievements

First woman to be appointed as the Interim Manager for Union Berlin Men’s Football Team for season 2025/26

First woman to feature as a coach on the touchline in a Bundesliga men’s match (2023/24 season)

Among the first women to coach at the academy level in a Bundesliga men’s setup

Pioneered digital coaching content during the COVID-19 pandemic while at Werder Bremen

Style and Reputation

As a coach, Marie-Louise Eta is recognized for her tactical intelligence, high-level communication, and a “problem-solving” approach that she carried over from her playing days.

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Marie Louise Eta as an Assistant Manager for season 23/24. PHOTO/Bundesliga