"Would a player listen to a woman?" First European 女 coach attacks sexism... Woonion Berlin "He's an Innovator."

*This content was translated by AI.

Mari-Louise Etta (35), who took the helm of Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, was attacked by some fans as sexist.

Union Berlin officially announced on the 12th (Korea Standard Time) that it had parted ways with coach Steffen Baumgart and appointed Etta as the coach to lead the team for the rest of the season.

The change of the head coach stems from the recent poor performance and a sense of crisis over staying. Union Berlin currently ranks 11th out of 18 teams with 8 wins, 8 draws and 13 losses (32 points). Although there is a gap with teams in the relegation zone, they have slowed down with no wins (1 draw and 2 losses) in the last three games and cannot be guaranteed to remain.

As a result, Etta became the first female head coach to lead the first-team men's soccer team in the top five European leagues (Germany, England, Spain, Italy, and France).

Coach Eta said, "I am grateful that the club has entrusted me with the heavy responsibility in difficult times," and expressed his ambition, "Based on Woonion's strength of solidarity, we will secure necessary points and lead the team to stay."

Germany's "Bild" reported the sexist attack on social media immediately after Etta's appointment and the club's decisive action in response to it.

According to the media, some netizens made derogatory remarks on social media, such as "It would be shameful if we lose to a female coach" and "Players do not take women seriously in football matters."

Then, the Union Berlin club responded directly to the comment, saying, "You are the sexist," expressing support for coach Etta.

Etta was captain of the Werder Bremen women's team when he was a player, but he retired at the early age of 26 due to injury before turning into a leader. Having joined Union Berlin in 2023 after serving as coach for the Bremen Under-15 men's team and coach for the German women's national team, he had already played as an acting coach in January during his former coach's disciplinary period.

Berlin Mayor Kai Begner praised Ete for the personnel, saying, "It is a strong signal to women in professional football and top-tier sports."

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*This content was translated by AI.