Former Culture Minister Claudia Roth (The Greens) is advocating for greater representation of female coaches in the men’s Bundesliga, pointing to the example set by 1. FC Union Berlin. According to the Green parliamentary representative speaking to “Spiegel” gender should not be a factor when appointing people to such roles, whether in the Bundesliga or any other area. She stated that “women have demonstrated for decades that they are as qualified leaders as men”.
Roth suggested that the “toxic environment that unfortunately still exists in professional football might finally decline with female leadership” calling this a positive development for the sport. She praised 1. FC Union Berlin for appointing Marie-Louise Eta last weekend as the first head coach in the history of the men’s football Bundesliga. However, Roth noted that Eta has since faced online abuse and harassment on social media platforms.
“Union Berlin is doing everything right by openly supporting her and condemning the behavior of these so-called fans” Roth commented. She added that the club is showing a stance that is “essential for such an appointment and should actually be taken for granted”.
Roth described Eta as an “experienced football professional” who possesses all the qualifications that would be expected of her male counterparts. She emphasized that being aware of one’s own competence is a crucial defense against abuse and harassment, and that support from one’s environment is enormously important for this.
The Green politician is a member of the FC Augsburg, and she also serves as Vice Chair of the board for the German Football Association’s (DFB) Culture Foundation.
