Marie-Louise Eta's historic appointment as Union Berlin's interim head coach could become a permanent fixture. The club's director of men's professional football, Horst Heldt, has opened the door to a long-term deal, stating, "At this point, it wouldn't make sense to rule anything out."

Eta made Bundesliga history last Saturday by becoming the first woman to take charge of a men's team in Europe's top leagues. She steps in for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, tasked with steering the 11th-placed club clear of the relegation zone, starting with her debut this Saturday against VfL Wolfsburg.

This promotion continues a trailblazing journey for Eta at Union Berlin. In 2023, she broke ground as the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach and later became the first woman to assist in the men's Champions League. Her rapid rise saw her appointed head coach of the club's U-19 side just last March.

Her immediate future with the men's team, however, creates an intriguing scenario. Initially slated to lead the women's team next season, those plans are now on hold as her impressive trajectory with the men's squad unfolds. Heldt confirmed that discussions regarding the women's team staffing have yet to take place, leaving all possibilities open for Eta's groundbreaking role in Berlin.