The recent appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of Union Berlin’s men’s first team has prompted Carolyn MacDonald-Bell to reflect more deeply, not just on the sport itself, but on faith, perseverance, and what it means for women stepping into new ground.
Football has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, I’ve been to several national games for Scotland, and grew up attending games with my family to support my local football club. I enjoyed playing football in primary school, but my interest simmered as I grew older.
My husband and I have been together for eight years, and married for over five of those years. During this time, football has become a pretty big part of my life. Growing up in England then moving to Scotland in his late teens, my husband has been a lifelong football fan, and has been involved with our local league in various positions. Thanks to him, I now understand the offside rule, can name more Premier league players than I know what to do with, and am in my second year of doing fantasy football with my husband and brother-in-law. I’ve also come to understand and appreciate the game, for both women and men, in ways I hadn’t previously.
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Therefore I was pretty excited last weekend when my husband shared the news that Marie-Louise Eta has just been announced as the new interim head coach for Union Berlin
Therefore I was pretty excited last weekend when my husband shared the news that Marie-Louise Eta has just been announced as the new interim head coach for Union Berlin, a team who play in the German Bundesliga. Eta is the first woman to be appointed as head coach in any of Europe’s top five leagues. This appointment is groundbreaking in football and the world of sport, but I also believe, for women and girls everywhere.
Marie-Louise Eta had her own career as a footballer from 2007 to 2018 in the midfield role, was part of a Champions League winning team, and has represented her country on several accounts. Her coaching career is just as impressive; she was the first woman to take on a first-team coaching role in the Bundesliga, has been in charge of coaching for the Union Berlin under-19’s team, and been involved with the coaching of Germanys women’s youth teams.
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I have no doubt that Eta has had to prove her worth and skill in a male-dominated industry time and time again, and this newest appointment will bring her under an extremely harsh microscope of criticism. It is difficult to accept that this is still the case for any woman in any role of work, but it is also so encouraging to see a woman making history in a male-dominated, often misogynistic environment.
Though Marie-Louise Eta’s personal beliefs are unknown, as Christian woman we are in a position to pray for her as she steps into this new role
Though Marie-Louise Eta’s personal beliefs are unknown, as Christian woman we are in a position to pray for her as she steps into this new role, that God would give her wisdom and strength for facing the criticism that has already come through via commentators and fans online. Women taking on coaching roles in football isn’t even the norm in the woman’s game, so the fact this has happened in a men’s league, and one as high up as the Bundesliga, is a sign that there are good changes taking place in the sport, but that there is still a long way to go.
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I’m excited for women and girls to see themselves represented in this way, and hope it will be an encouragement for many women to keep pushing forward and stepping into the roles that God has created for them. Even when the path seems difficult or we are stepping into the unknown, we have the assurance that we are not alone. Isaiah 41:10 says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” No matter what we are facing, whether in the workplace or in other areas of our lives, we are never alone, because God is with us in all seasons of life.
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