With the Greatest Thanks for Their Efforts
Changes in Union's Women's Coaching Staff
After the historic season 2024/25, five members of the coaching staff are leaving the women’s team of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Besides individual coach Marie-Louise Eta, who will remain with the club in a new role, goalkeeper coach Dr. Laura von Zadow, team manager Kathleen Jurczyk, assistant coach and game analyst Luca De Girolamo, and caretaker Janita Richter are leaving Union’s women's team set-up.
In January 2025, Luca De Girolamo joined the women’s professional team as a match analyst and assistant coach after previously working for two years in the club's youth academy. With his analytical expertise, Luca was a significant contributor to the successful second half of the season, which was crowned with the second division championship on the final matchday.
In her two years at 1. FC Union Berlin, Marie-Louise Eta has already taken on several roles. Originally starting as the assistant coach of the U19s, the 33-year-old won the sidelines just a few months later as the assistant coach of the men's first team. Since November 2024, she has supported the women's team as an individual coach; evidently with great success. Now, "Loui" faces her next challenge. From the upcoming season, she will be head coach for the U19s of 1. FC Union Berlin.
Dr. Laura von Zadow, then still under her maiden name of Ketzer, joined Union as a goalkeeper coach in the summer of 2022. The PhD astrophysicist provided one of the most curious moments in recent club history on matchday 20 of the 2022/23 season. In the home match against SV Eintracht Leipzig-Süd, Union had no more substitute players on the bench when striker Elisa Spolaczyk got injured. Without hesitation, von Zadow, who was still licensed to play, put on the jersey and was substituted in as an outfield player for the last two minutes.
But it got even better. In the 90th minute, she scored the last goal in a 13-1 win. In her primary role as goalkeeper coach, however, she has significantly contributed to the team's defensive stability. During the promotion season to the 2. Bundesliga, Union's goalkeepers conceded only five goals. This season, Union had the second-best defence, and first-choice goalkeeper Cara Bösl had the most clean sheets with 13. After three successful years with two promotions, two championships, and one cup victory, von Zadow's time at Union has now come to an end.
Since the summer of 2022, Kathleen Jurczyk has been responsible as the team manager for all the women's team's organisational matters. She had previously been active in this role from 2011 to 2015. Whether it was away trips, hotel coordination, or media appointments – she held everything together behind the scenes. Jurczyk accompanied the team through three successful years that culminated in their promotion from the Regionalliga to the Bundesliga. Now, the 40-year-old is taking a break, but remains a loyal supporter of the team.
Since the 2022/23 season, Janita Richter has been volunteering as a supervisor for the women's team. The full-time sports and geography teacher, who is also active as a referee in the Volleyball Bundesliga, ensured a smooth process on match days with the preparation and follow-up of the changing room. With her positive presence, she was an integral part of the team and contributed to the feel-good atmosphere within the squad.
“First and foremost, a big thank you to everyone for their passionate commitment," said jennifer Zietz, Union's director of women's professional football. "Each individual has contributed to making the exceptional development of recent years possible – from the Regionalliga to the Bundesliga promotion. The reasons for the changes in the coaching staff are diverse. Some are embarking on new professional paths, others are intentionally taking a break – and at the same time, the demands and time commitment increase with the Bundesliga promotion. As painful as goodbyes are, one thing remains certain, everyone has earned a place in the history of our club with their dedication, and each of them will always be welcomed back with open arms.”
Once an Unioner, always a Unioner!