1. FC Union Berlin will welcome an (old) new face for the new season. The 29-year-old Johannes Thienel will join Urs Fischer's coaching staff as the new rehabilitation coach.

Departure after five years

Since the end of January this year, Michel Kuper has taken on the role of rehab coach for the Eisernen's Bundesliga team. However, his involvement with Union goes back much further: in 2017, Kuper started as a physiotherapist with the Eisernen youth team and took over the position of rehab coach at the NLZ just under a year later. After five years at Union, Kuper is moving back to his home state of Lower Saxony.

Return to Union

Johannes Thienel's arrival finalises a role within the department of Oliver Ruhnert. In 2017, he was rehab coach in the youth team and replaced by Michel Kuper following his switch to Sportfreunde Lotte. Four years later, Thienel is back in Köpenick as the new rehab coach. He previously worked with SC Paderborn.

"Johannes is a fresh face in our coaching team who knows our club well, has gained external experience and is an excellent professional fit for our demands. We are looking forward to a good time with him and would like to thank Michel Kuper for his commitment over the last few months," said Oliver Ruhnert, 1. FC Union Berlin's Managing Director for Professional Football.