Vincent Kompany, the Bayern Munich coach, remarked on Tuesday that the selection of Marie-Louise Eta as interim coach of Union Berlin marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to manage a top-tier football team in Germany. This historic moment is expected to pave the way for young girls in the sport.
Last Saturday, Eta made history by being appointed as the interim coach at Union, thus becoming the first female coach to lead a Bundesliga side.
“I am genuinely pleased about Eta’s appointment,” Kompany expressed during a press conference ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
“These are pivotal moments. It’s easy to downplay them by saying ‘she’s just a coach like anyone else and that’s how we should regard her as a colleague.’
“However, at the end of the day, it is something quite special,” the Belgian coach added.
“This opens up a multitude of possibilities for young girls who currently play football, empowering them with the belief that ‘I can coach anywhere, build a genuine career, and achieve success’. These narratives hold significant importance.
“I wish her all the best, and my only hope is that she is not treated like a man. I want her to be afforded patience, as the coaching role often lacks that at the leadership level.”
At 34, Eta transitioned from coaching Union’s Under-19 squad and is set to take over the club’s women’s team starting next season. She previously made her mark in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in Germany’s top league with Union.
On Monday, Union Berlin condemned the sexist online abuse targeted at Eta following her appointment, expressing disappointment in having to address such criticism in 2026 and labelling the discourse as “insane” and “embarrassing.”
Compiled by SportArena.au
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