BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female coach in charge of a men’s team in the Bundesliga as it bids to ensure its league survival.
The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the team’s 3-1 loss at last-place Heidenheim on Saturday, Union announced just before midnight.
Eta, who was coaching the Under-19 men's team and agreed earlier this month to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to secure Union's Bundesliga survival.
She made history in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues. She had to step in for media duties for head coach Nenad Bjelica when he was suspended for three games in 2024.
“I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement.
Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-25 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.
“We’ve had an completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not letting the table fool us — our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.”
Defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.
“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn things around with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start,” Heldt said.
Union next hosts Wolfsburg, which is also fighting for survival, next weekend.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Marie-Louise Eta had previously served as a head coach.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Union Berlin's assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta looks oon before the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and FC Augsburg in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - Union Berlin's co-coach Marie-Louise Eta leads a soccer training session on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. (Matthias Koch/dpa via AP, File)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Nathaniel Lowe hit a three-run double in a four-run first inning, and the Cincinnati Reds stopped a three-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.
New Angels manager Kurt Suzuki was ejected for the first time in the eighth inning when Logan O’Hoppe was called out for interference for not staying in the runner's box while heading to first base on a strike three pitch that bounced to the backstop.
Suzuki had left the dugout in the sixth to argue Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson did not properly execute a ABS challenge.
Elly De La Cruz had three hits for the Reds.
Pierce Johnson (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first win with the Reds after starter Brandon Williamson walked a career-high six while allowing three runs in four innings.
Angels rookie right-hander George Klassen (0-1), making his second big league start, left in the third inning because of a bruised nail on his right index finger. He allowed five runs, five hits and five walks.
Los Angeles reliever Brent Suter got 11 outs with 39 pitches.
Sal Stewart's RBI single on a one-hopper off the glove of first baseman Nolan Schanuel and Lowe's double built a 4-0 lead, and Spencer Steer homered off the left-field foul pole in the second inning.
Schanuel's RBI grounder and Mike Trout's two-run double cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fourth.
Cincinnati scored on a pair of run-scoring wild pitches in the eighth by Chase Silseth, who had three wild pitches and four walks while getting one out.
Angels RHP José Soriano (3-0, 0.45) and Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.18) start Sunday's series finale.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds' Noelvi Marte reaches for Elly de la Cruz's hand to celebrate after scoring on a wild pitch by Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth during the eighth inning of a baseball in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán, right, and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, left, embrace after winning a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
