RB Leipzig coach Werner says female colleague Eta deserves to coach in Bundesliga

RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner says the appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as coach of Union Berlin is a step in the right direction for football.

Eta is the first woman to manage a men’s team in Europe’s major leagues, but her appointment was met with sexist abuse by certain people.

Eta, who was Union’s men’s U-19s coach, was appointed head coach for the last five games of the season to secure Bundesliga survival.

Leipzig beat Berlin 3-1 at the Red Bull Arena on Friday night through goals from Max Finkgräfe, Romulo and Ridle Baku as they consolidated third place and moved closer to Champions League qualification after five straight wins.

It was a different story for Eta, as she has suffered her second defeat in as many games in charge, and she will be looking for points in the remaining matches against Cologne, Mainz and Augsburg.

“It is well deserved because I have known Marie for a number of years,” said Werner after the three points that pushed them to third spot behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Werner added he hopes having women football coaches in top leagues will be normal in the future.

“It’s logical if you see what she has done at her previous clubs. It is very important to take steps forward, and maybe one day it will be normal and you won’t have to ask questions.

“Nobody should care whether it is a man or woman; the only thing that counts is performance in high professional football.

“It is a good sign and hopefully a good example for a lot of women following up,” he said.

With this win, Leipzig pulled further away from fourth-placed VFB Stuttgart and remained in contention for continental football.

“We want to qualify for the Champions League. We have made a good performance up to now, but we have to make the last steps, which are always harder than the first.

“We are looking forward to the last few matches of the season, and qualifying for the Champions League is our goal.”