Sexist abuse of Union Berlin boss 'embarrassing'

Union Berlin's director of football has condemned "insane" sexist abuse directed towards new head coach Marie-Louise Eta.

Eta became the first woman appointed to manage a men's team in one of Europe's top five leagues after being named interim head coach of the Bundesliga side.

Since her appointment on Sunday, the 34-year-old has been the target of sexist comments on social media.

"It's just embarrassing. I've noticed it, but I also refuse to read or even just expose myself to that kind of nonsense because for me this is about quality - leadership quality," said Horst Heldt.

"We have 100% confidence in Loui - complete conviction. I find it insane that we have to deal with this in this day and age.

"We're talking about a highly competent leader here, and you can be sure that everyone here at Union, whether in the stands or within the club itself, stands 100% behind this decision and will do everything in their power to ensure that this doesn't lead to any further discussion in the future."

Eta, a former Germany youth international and Women's Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, will take charge of Union Berlin's women's side this summer.

She became the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach, with Union Berlin, in November 2023.

She deputised for manager Nenad Bjelica, who was serving a three-match suspension, during a 1-0 win over Darmstadt in January 2024 to become the first woman to lead a Bundesliga team from the touchline.

Union Berlin, who are 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga, are 11 points clear of the automatic relegation zone with five matches remaining but have won only twice in 14 league outings in 2026.

Heldt said Eta will take charge of her first training session on Tuesday and that she is "getting a handle on things very, very quickly".

"She had a great run with the Under-19s team, so she's already fulfilled a role as head coach and is experienced," he said.

"Another advantage is that we all know her and she knows us. She doesn't need to be shown the ropes here - she knows it all. She knows the stadium, the atmosphere, the people and, above all, the players.

"We're convinced that a head coach can only truly be a head coach if they've held that role before, which is why she is the logical next step."

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany hopes Eta's appointment will lead to greater opportunities for women in coaching.

"I am actually really happy [with ​Eta's ⁠appointment]," Kompany told a news conference before Bayern's Champions League match against Real Madrid ⁠on Wednesday.

"I think these are key moments. It is ​easy ⁠to minimise them and say 'she ‌is just a coach like everybody else and that is how we have to treat her as colleagues'.

"But in ‌the end it is something special.

"It opens a lot of opportunities to little girls who now play football and think 'I can coach anywhere, make a real ⁠career and be successful'. These stories are really important.

"I wish her all the best and the only part I wish she is not treated like a man, is being patient with her, because the coaching job lacks patience on the leadership level."