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Since her appointment on Sunday, the 34-year-old has been the target of sexist comments on social media.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We have 100% confidence in Loui – complete conviction. I find it insane that we have to deal with this in this day and age.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
She became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach, with Union Berlin, in November 2023.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
“She had a great run with the U19s team, so she’s already fulfilled a role as head coach and is experienced,” he said.<\/p>\n
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“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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