Male managers have traditionally dominated men’s football, but a number of pioneering women have broken barriers by taking charge of male teams in Europe’s top leagues. Here are five notable female coaches who have made history in the sport.
Marie-Louise Eta (Germany)
Eta recently made headlines after being appointed interim head coach of Union Berlin, becoming the first woman to manage a men’s side in the Bundesliga. Her promotion followed the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart and marks a historic moment in German football. Having worked through the club’s youth and senior systems, her rise reflects years of dedication and internal trust.
Carolina Morace (Italy)
A true trailblazer, Morace took charge of Viterbese in 1999, becoming one of the first women to manage a professional men’s team in Europe. She later built an impressive career coaching women’s national teams, including Italy and Canada, while advocating for gender equality in football.
Helena Costa (France)
Costa made history in 2014 when she was appointed manager of Clermont Foot, the first woman to lead a professional men’s team in France. However, her tenure was short, as she resigned within weeks, citing lack of support from the club.
Corinne Diacre (France)
Following Costa’s departure, Diacre stepped in to manage Clermont Foot, continuing the breakthrough for women in men’s football. She later went on to coach the French women’s national team, although her tenure ended in 2023 after internal challenges.
Sabrina Wittmann (Germany)
Wittmann has also made strides in men’s football, serving as interim head coach at Ingolstadt. She has spoken openly about the pressures of representing women in the sport while aiming to be judged on merit rather than gender.
These women have challenged long-standing norms in football, paving the way for greater inclusion and diversity in coaching at the highest levels.
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