The rapid rise of Union’s women’s side, which Marie-Louise Eta will coach from the summer, is a direct result of the club prioritising the team.
BERLIN:
The appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as head coach of Union Berlin’s men’s Bundesliga side may have captured global headlines, but few inside the ambitious club were surprised.
The rapid rise of Union’s women’s side, which Eta will coach from the summer, is a direct result of the club prioritising the team.
While still in the amateur regional leagues, Union took the unusual step of paying players and coaching staff professionally.
Union are putting the finishing touches on a shiny new complex which will become the first training centre in European football with identical facilities for the men’s and women’s teams.
Despite playing in the second division last season, Union’s women averaged crowd was 7,190, the best mark in Germany and behind only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United across Europe.
he crowds have continued to climb this season as Union secured their top-flight status for next year.
Union host powerhouse Bayern Munich on Wednesday and the club expect over 10,000 spectators, having opened up additional stands in their 22,000-capacity Stadion an der Alten Foersterei.
