1. FC Union Berlin are delighted to announce the signing of Oliver Ruhnert as the club’s Managing Director for Professional Football. The 46-year-old will be responsible for all aspects of the first-team department, including the management of the coaching and administration staff, squad planning and scouting. He will report directly to the club’s executive committee.

Ruhnert had been in Köpenick already as the club’s chief scout since the summer of 2017. Previously, he worked as a sports scientist and carved out a role in various functions to assist with the development of Schalke’s youth academy.

As sporting director and most recently, the head of Schalke’s academy, Ruhnert has been able to provide sporting success, as well as, promoting structural developments for one of the top academies in European football.

“Oliver Ruhnert is a first-rate football expert, who boasts qualities that we’ve been able to convince ourselves of over the last few months, and which we very much appreciate. We entrust him with the tasks of bringing new impetus to the structuring and management of the first-team football operations. One of his first tasks will be to propose a head coach to the executive committee and then use him to prepare for the new season,” said Union President Dirk Zingler. “We look forward to working with him and wish him every success.”

“1. FC Union Berlin are a very interesting and ambitious club that I had the opportunity to get to know better for a year. The task which sits before me is extremely attractive and I’m pleased with the confidence placed in me by the executive committee. Now it is important to make good decisions quickly in order to lay the foundations for a successful season,” commented Union’s new managing director for sports.

Ruhnert has signed a contract at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei until 30.06.2020.