Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany hailed the “inspirational” move to appoint Marie-Louise Eta as interim coach of Union Berlin this week – the first woman to lead a top-flight team in Germany.
Eta, 34, has taken over as Union Berlin interim head coach after the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart.
She had been coaching Union’s Under-19 team and will take charge of the club’s women’s team from next season. She became the first female assistant coach in the German top flight with Union in 2023.
Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, former Manchester City captain Kompany said: “I am actually really happy (with Eta’s appointment).
“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.”
A call for patience in a “ruthless” industry
Kompany, who knows the pressures of elite management all too well, also issued a poignant reminder regarding the volatility of the profession. He noted that while Eta should be judged on her merit, the industry’s lack of patience is a hurdle he hopes she is spared from.
“I wish her all the best and the only part I wish she is not treated like a man, they are being patient with her, because the coaching job lacks patience on the leadership level.”
From the U19s to the Bundesliga spotlight
The 34-year-old Eta is no stranger to breaking barriers. Having previously coached Union’s Under-19 team, she already made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the German top flight. While she is currently steering the ship for the men’s senior side on an interim basis, she is already slated to take charge of the club’s women’s team starting next season.
Union Berlin slam “insane” sexist abuse
Despite the overwhelming support from figures like Kompany, the appointment hasn’t been without its dark side. On Monday, Union Berlin were forced to release a statement condemning a wave of sexist online abuse directed at Eta.
The club expressed deep disappointment at having to address such criticism in 2026, labelling the online discourse as “insane” and “embarrassing.” As the footballing world moves forward, Eta’s presence on the touchline stands as a definitive marker of progress, regardless of the noise on social media.
