Union Berlin Defends Historic Appointment of Female Manager
Union Berlin has made a historic move by appointing Marie-Louise Eta as the first female manager of a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues. The club is standing firm against any sexist backlash, showing full support for Eta, who will lead the team until the end of the season.\n## Standing Up to Criticism \\[The club and its executives have been vocal in their support for Eta, pushing back against critical comments on social media. Chief Horst Heldt expressed his frustration with the need to justify the appointment, emphasizing the club's complete confidence in Eta.]\\ Union Berlin’s chief, Horst Heldt, stated, “We have 100 percent confidence in Loui, with complete conviction. I find it crazy that we have to deal with this in this day and age, that we have to justify ourselves.”\\\ Heldt also hinted at the possibility of Eta remaining in her role beyond the current season, saying, “At the moment, it wouldn't make sense to rule anything out.”\\\ Communications director Christian Arbeit added that Eta, a former Women’s Champions League winner, is focused on coaching and working with the team.\\\ The club has been active on social media, directly addressing and countering sexist remarks and abuse directed at Eta.\\\ One of the responses from the club's official X account read, “With all due respect, that's sexism,” in response to a post suggesting players wouldn’t take a woman's tactical instructions seriously.\\\ Another comment was branded “sexist” for claiming that a male coach who lost to Eta would lose face.\\\ The club also reassured Eta, posting, “The Union family has her back,” in response to concerns about potential backlash if she loses a game.\\\ Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, praised the decision, calling it “a strong signal for professional soccer and for women in elite-level sports,” though he initially misspelled Eta's name, which the club corrected.\\\ Mayor Wegner acknowledged the oversight, saying, “We were so overwhelmed.”\\\ Key Takeaways\\\ - Union Berlin appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female manager of a men's team in one of Europe's top five football leagues.\\\ - The club and its executives are firmly supporting Eta, countering sexist remarks and abuse on social media.\\\ - Eta, a former Women’s Champions League winner, is focused on coaching and working with the team.\\\ - There is a possibility of Eta remaining in her role beyond the current season.\\\ - Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, praised the decision, highlighting its significance for women in elite-level sports.\\\ Source: OneFootball (https://onefootball.com/en/news/union-berlin-hit-back-at-sexism-after-groundbreaking-appointment-of-female-manager-42706322)
— Editorial Team
