India, April 24 -- There's a tradition at the beautiful, forest-ringed Alte Forsterei stadium in Berlin. At the beginning of a match, as the teams are announced, the crowd chants "Fusballgott (Football God)!" after each name.

On April 19, the crowd roared something slightly different after one name. "Marie-Louise Eta!" went the announcer. "Fusballgottin (Football Goddess)!" replied the crowd.

With that began an extraordinary chapter. Eta's first game in charge of Union Berlin marked the first game with a woman at the helm of a top-flight football club in Europe.

The city had been abuzz ever since the 34-year-old was named manager of the team, with journalists from around the world flocking to attend her first press-conference and first...