The first female coach in the German League challenges “social media” bullying

Marie-Louise Etta, the new coach of Union Berlin, a competitor in the German first division, and the first woman to manage a top-flight team in the country, is fully aware of the extent of the controversy that arose following her appointment as head of the team’s technical leadership last week, but she said on Thursday that she is only focused on “getting the team back on the winning path.”

Etta was appointed interim coach for the team last Saturday until the end of the season, following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, while the Union team occupies 11th place in the standings.

The German coach will supervise the men’s first team until the end of the season, before taking over the club’s women’s team.

She said in a press conference before her first match last Saturday at home against the struggling Wolfsburg team, “I completely understand everyone’s opinion on this issue (the first woman to coach a team in the German League).”

She added: “I’m aware of this issue, of course, but it was never just about that. It’s always about football, working with people… and achieving success.”

Etta continued: “I have the club’s trust and I am happy about that. The most important thing now is to prepare well for the next match against Wolfsburg.”

In response to a question about whether she had hesitated when she received the offer to train the team last week, she said: “There was nothing to think about. I was at home on Saturday, and I was surprised at first (receiving the call), but I felt happy with this confidence. Things moved quickly.”

Etta stressed that what happened is not an exception at all in football, as women hold more and more leadership positions in many clubs around the world.

She said: “There are female coaches who were ahead of me in this regard, and in a number of other countries… I understand this issue and the reason for the interest in it, and it would have been wonderful if the matter had not appeared this way, but it is only about success on the field.”

Etta was at the head of the technical leadership of the Union Berlin U-19 team.

Etta became the first assistant coach in the German League with Union Berlin in 2023, but her appointment this time also sparked controversy, as there were some insulting comments on social media, which were condemned by the German club.

“This (social media comments) doesn’t matter to me because it says a lot more about those who post these things than it does about me or the other people they’re talking about,” she said.

She added: “Maybe we were a little surprised that my appointment received so much attention, because for us it wasn’t really the case… I hope this matter will diminish in the next few years and people will focus on football only.”