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Historic Marie-Louise Eta era ends as Union Berlin appoint Lustrinelli

ReutersReuters23 May 2026, 10:41
Historic Marie-Louise Eta era ends as Union Berlin appoint Lustrinelli

1. FC Union Berlin have ended Marie-Louise Eta’s historic interim spell in charge by appointing Mauro Lustrinelli as head coach, with the Swiss manager arriving after guiding Thun to the Swiss league title.

Union Berlin have appointed Mauro Lustrinelli as their new coach after ​he led Thun to the Swiss ‌league title, the Bundesliga club said.

The 50-year-old Swiss replaces Marie-Louise Eta, who had taken charge ​in April on an interim basis ​following Steffen Baumgart's departure and became the first ⁠woman to lead a men's Bundesliga ​team.

Lustrinelli, a former Switzerland international, took over ​at Thun in 2022 and led them to the second division championship and promotion in 2025 before ​winning the Swiss league crown this ​season.

“Mauro has demonstrated in recent years how he ‌can ⁠shape and develop teams. Winning the championship title with a promoted team speaks to his technical quality, but also to his ​ability to ​lead ⁠and inspire a group,” said Horst Heldt, Union's director of football, ​in a statement on Thursday.

“We ​are ⁠convinced we have found the right coach for this and look forward to working ⁠together.”

Union ​finished the Bundesliga season in ​11th place and missed out on European football next ​season.