{"id":6457,"date":"2026-04-22T02:07:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T02:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/6457\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T02:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T02:07:11","slug":"eta-leading-berlins-men-no-surprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/6457\/","title":{"rendered":"Eta leading Berlin’s men ‘no surprise’"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Union Berlin”s interim head coach Marie-Louise Eta interacts with players on the sidelines of a Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg in Berlin on Saturday.\u00a0[Photo\/Agencies] <\/p>\n

The appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of Union Berlin’s men’s Bundesliga side may have captured global headlines, but few inside the ambitious club were surprised.<\/p>\n

The rapid rise of Union’s women’s side, which Eta will coach from the summer, is a direct result of the club prioritizing the team.<\/p>\n

While still in the amateur regional leagues, Union took the unusual step of paying players and coaching staff professionally.<\/p>\n

Union is putting the finishing touches on a shiny new complex that will become the first training center in European soccer that provides identical facilities for both the club’s men’s and women’s teams.<\/p>\n

Despite playing in the second division last season, Union’s women’s average crowd was 7,190, the best mark in Germany and behind only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United across Europe.<\/p>\n

The crowds have continued to climb this season as Union secured its top-flight status for next year.<\/p>\n

Union hosts powerhouse Bayern Munich on Wednesday and the club expects over 10,000 spectators, having opened up additional stands at its 22,000-capacity Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.<\/p>\n

‘It’s about soccer’<\/p>\n

A major reason for the support is the club’s integration into the community in the eastern Berlin suburb of Kopenick.<\/p>\n

The club is a core part of Kopenick’s identity, giving rise to the saying: ‘We don’t go to the soccer, we go to Union’.<\/p>\n

Current women’s coach Ailien Poese has had a two-decade association with Union and has guided the women’s side through the ranks to the top flight.<\/p>\n

Poese, who will return to the club’s academy when Eta takes over, said fans attend both the men’s and the women’s games “because, ultimately, it’s about soccer”.<\/p>\n

“I hope it gets established at many clubs, that it’s their favorite club and there might be a home game every weekend, one week the women’s and the next the men’s,” Poese told reporters.<\/p>\n

“I’m absolutely delighted with the extra attention and the identification with the women’s team.”<\/p>\n

Union forward Hannah Eurlings agreed.<\/p>\n

“It says a lot about the fans, that they’re just in love with the club. And that’s so nice to see.”<\/p>\n

Eurlings, a Belgian international, signed with Union in the summer and said the club’s focus on women’s soccer was a key factor in her decision.<\/p>\n

“For me, it was a bit scary to sign for a second Bundesliga team, but the talks I had with the club and with the women’s manager, they were all positive.<\/p>\n

“They want to make the women’s team equal to the men’s team \u2014 in financial terms and also in the facilities we get.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think you see that often in women’s soccer, so I think that’s a very big plus for me.”<\/p>\n

‘Logical decision’<\/p>\n

Eurlings said Eta’s appointment is a reflection Union’s values of hard work and merit, while also thinking outside the box.<\/p>\n

“It’s not one bit of a surprise here in the club or in Kopenick… It doesn’t matter what your gender is, do you know a lot about soccer? If you do, then you’re the right person for the job.”<\/p>\n

Poese said the appointment was “a completely logical decision”.<\/p>\n

“She is highly competent, very good technically and very clear in her work and her footballing ideas.”<\/p>\n

Union is heavy underdog on Wednesday, but even taking on the German giant is an achievement in itself.<\/p>\n

Bayern needs just a point to claim the women’s Bundesliga title but Poese said her side would relish its role as “party crasher”.<\/p>\n

Eurlings agreed, saying “of course, it’s an extra motivation. They think they can become champions on our pitch? Nobody signed up for that.<\/p>\n

“They’re the best team in the league. But, of course, in soccer, you have 90 minutes, and if we have a good day, we want to be the party crashers.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Eta issues instructions to midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein during the match.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Union Berlin interim coach Marie-Louise Eta reacts during a Bundesliga match against Vfl Wolfsburg in Berlin on Saturday.\u00a0[Photo\/Agencies] <\/p>\n

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