Union Berlin has issued a formal condemnation of the sexist online abuse directed at Marie-Louise Eta following her appointment as interim head coach.
Eta took charge of the men's squad on Saturday after the club dismissed Steffen Baumgart. She will lead the team for the remainder of the Bundesliga campaign before transitioning to the club's women's side.
Her promotion as the first woman to manage a men's Bundesliga team triggered a surge of derogatory comments across social media platforms. The club has responded both online and in person to defend her position.
"We have 100 percent confidence in Loui, with complete conviction," said Horst Heldt, Union’s director of men’s professional football. "I find it crazy that we have to deal with this in this day and age, that we have to justify ourselves."
Club defends appointment
Communications director Christian Arbeit stated that Eta's focus remains strictly on the sport.
"She’s very conscious that it’s something special, but for her, football is in the foreground," Arbeit said. "She wants to work with the team, and she wants to be on the field."
The club used its official X account to push back against specific claims regarding player discipline and coaching prestige. One post argued that players would not follow tactical instructions from a woman, which the club branded as sexism.
Union also labeled another comment as sexist after a user suggested a male coach would "lose face" if he lost a match to Eta.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner praised the appointment, calling it a "strong signal for professional football and for women in elite-level sports." Wegner did, however, misspell Eta's name in his statement, prompting a correction from the club.
Eta is tasked with securing Union's Bundesliga status during the final five games of the season. While the club previously announced she would lead the women's team next season, Heldt refused to rule out her continued involvement with the men's squad.
"I think at the moment it wouldn’t make sense to rule anything out beyond that," Heldt said.
Union Berlin currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga standings and prepares to host Wolfsburg this Saturday.
