'Full throttle': Marie-Louise Eta starts Union Berlin training

Marie-Louise Eta arrived with a big smile on her face for Union Berlin training as the first woman in a European top league to take charge of a men's team.

"Come together, lads," she said as she addressed the players in a short speech before the exercises in rainy conditions.

The session was closed for fans but Union president Dirk Zingler was present for the historic occasion along with around 40 German and international media representatives.

Eta mainly watched on during the first half-hour before taking charge when forms of play were trained. "Full throttle," she shouted, but also "lads, listen."

Eta was appointed head coach late Saturday for the remaining five games of the Bundesliga season, but possibly also beyond, in succession of Steffen Baumgart, who had to go after a 3-1 defeat at bottom club Heidenheim.

Union are 11th but have won only two of their games in 2026 and are not safe yet seven points above the danger zone.

Eta's first match in charge is on Saturday against second-last Wolfsburg. A victory would save Union from the direct drop.

Eta already worked as Union assistant coach in 2023 and before Saturday was in charge of the under-19 team. She is due to take over the women's Bundesliga team in summer but that may change if she achieves good results with the men's side.

Diretor of professional football Horst Heldt said that a change at the helm could energise a team and that Eta showed three years ago that she has everything it takes to be successful.

"She knows the stadium, knows the atmosphere, the people and first and foremost the players," Heldt added.