Union Berlin has made Bundesliga history by hiring the first female coach ever.
Given their recent dismal performance, the German team declared on Wednesday, November 15, that they had split ways with first-team coach Urs Fischer.
Berlin, who are playing in the Champions League this year, have lost 13 of their previous 14 games. The other match was drawn.
Following Fischer’s exit, Marco Grote, the U19 coach for Berlin, will assume temporary leadership of the first team until further notice.
Until further notice, Grote will work with Marie-Louise Eta, who has been named the new assistant manager.
A woman will be in the Bundesliga dugout for the first game ever thanks to the historic decision. On November 25, they play FC Augsburg in their next game.
In June 2023, she assumed her most recent position as Berlin’s U19 assistant manager, where she collaborated closely with Grote.
In a statement, Berlin’s club president Dirk Zingler said: “I only recently made it clear that Urs Fischer is an excellent coach, and I continue to be absolutely convinced of that.
“His personality and his successful work have shaped our club in recent years and opened up many new opportunities for us.
“During these five and a half years of our collaboration, respect and trust developed between us, on the basis of which we were able to exchange ideas openly and honestly at any time.
“Together we have now come to the conclusion that now is the time to take a different path.
“For me personally and certainly for the entire Union Berlin family, this is a very sad moment. It hurts that we haven’t been able to break the negative trend of the last few weeks.
“Looking back on the time we spent together and the successes we celebrated together, I am grateful and proud. As painful as this separation is, Urs Fischer leaves as a friend who will be welcomed by us with open arms at all times.”
