Union Berlin appointed Mauro Lustrinelli as their new head coach on May 22, 2026, ending Marie-Louise Eta's interim tenure [1, 2]. Lustrinelli, 50, is a former Switzerland international footballer who most recently achieved success managing FC Thun in Switzerland [1, 2].
Lustrinelli took over as Thun's coach in 2022 and led the team to promotion by winning the Swiss second division championship in 2025. He then guided Thun to the Swiss league title in the 2025-2026 season, marking a remarkable rise under his leadership [1, 2]. Horst Heldt, Union Berlin's director of football, praised Lustrinelli's ability to both develop and inspire teams. "Mauro has demonstrated in recent years how he can shape and develop teams," Heldt said, adding that winning the championship with a promoted team reflects both technical quality and leadership skills [1].
Lustrinelli replaces Marie-Louise Eta, who became the first woman to coach a men's Bundesliga team when she took over Union Berlin on an interim basis in April 2026 after the departure of Steffen Baumgart [1, 2]. Union Berlin finished the 2025-2026 Bundesliga season in 11th place and missed out on European competition for the next season [1, 2].
Lustrinelli will face the challenge of improving Union Berlin's league position and qualifying for European tournaments. His appointment reflects the club's intent to build on recent progress and aim higher after a mid-table finish. The 2026-2027 Bundesliga season will be Lustrinelli's first in charge at Union Berlin.