1. FC Union Berlin's Director for Professional Football Oliver Ruhnert has signed a new contract at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. The 49-year-old will continue his work in Köpenick after joining the club ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. 

Ruhnert is responsible for the coaching and backroom staff, managing the scouting department and planning the squad. Union has enjoyed success under his management with promotion to the Bundesliga under head coach Urs Fischer. The club's first campaign in Germany's top division ended in an 11th-placed finish with survival secured two games ahead of the final week of the season. In season 2020-21, Union are in sixth after 13 games.

"The work with Oliver Ruhnert as Director of Professional Football has proven to be extremely successful for 1. FC Union Berlin. He has succeeded, together with head coach Urs Fischer, in achieving very ambitious sporting goals based on our economic realities. I'm all the more pleased that we are continuing on this path and working in the proven way," said Dirk Zingler, president of 1. FC Union Berlin.

"Keeping Union in the Bundesliga is an exciting task that challenges and excites me. We've done this once already and also succeeded this season as we're doing well so far. I would like to contribute to the fact that we can experience a complete Bundesliga season live in the stadium together with the many people who are rooting for us. We haven't been able to do that yet," commented Oliver Ruhnert. "I enjoy the way we work together here at Union, and that's why I'm looking forward to continuing to be part of this team."