For the Bundesliga squad of 1. FC Union Berlin, the start of the regular season is drawing ever closer. But in order for the players to be able to concentrate fully on their tasks on the pitch, another team is needed - the team behind the team.

The ones with the vision

While pre-season means a well-earned break for the men on the pitch at least. However it is a period when others spring into action. Oliver Ruhnert and Michael Parensen, Union's managing and technical directors of men’s professional football respectively, are in charge of the operational side of things and take care of the squad planning for the current and coming seasons. Parensen is also responsible for travel planning, amongst many other things, and always has an open ear. The two have recently been supported by Anna Wiesner and René Andresen.

The scouts are the ones with the overview of the opponents and players. Steven Pälchen, scouting coordinator for men’s Professional Football, is at the helm and sends his colleagues Theo Gries, Andre Juchum, Mark Ulshöfer and Marcel Borggräfe halfway around the world. No sports ground, stadium or backyard remains hidden from them and even Union’s opponents can never rest easy.

The decision-makers

A football team needs players and coaches, and it's no different for Union's Bundesliga team. Head coach Urs Fischer and his two co-coaches Sebastian Bönig and Markus Hoffmann play with the line-up day after day, talk to the players and are always looking for the perfect tactical plan for the upcoming opponent, no matter who they may be. The boys between the sticks also have their team leader, Michael Gspurning, who ensures that the keepers constantly improve, despite the opposition’s best efforts.

In order to get through a long and exhausting season, you need to be in good shape, and this is where Martin Krüger, the athletic trainer, is primarily responsible. He pushes the players to the limit in strength exercises, high-intensity training or simple running exercises. He also keeps an eye on the load control of the individual professionals. When a player returns from injury, it is usually the face of rehab coach Johannes Thienel that the returnee sees most often. He accompanies the boys on their way to full recovery and supervises individual training to prevent future injuries.

To ensure that the coaching team and squad are prepared for what lies ahead before matches, match analysts Adrian Wittmann and Sebastian Podsiadly compile and prepare all the information. No footage in the world is too well hidden, and all the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents are well known to them. Wittman, head of match analysis, is responsible for the evaluation of his own team and gives the coaches advice about the next match. Colleague Podsiadly, together with scout Marcel Borggräfe, is responsible for the international opponents, and with Gerry Gerosa he analyses the future opponents in the UEFA Champions League.

The Docs

Often forgotten, but enormously important, is the medical team. The two team doctors, Dr. Clemens Gwinner and Dr. Marvin Minkus, bear the main responsibility when it comes to the health of the players. They are supported in their day-to-day work by Union's physiotherapists. Led and coordinated by Maximilian Perschk and Sven Kuhlbrodt, the physios are there when there are complaints or even the slightest of niggles. With Robert Kemna and Silvio Thieme, as well as masseur Thomas Riedel, there is always a place available for the players on the treatment table.

The all-rounders

Team manager Susanne Kopplin is always there for the players if, for example, they are looking for a flat, their children need a place in a day-care centre or they have an appointment with an official. 

Bus driver Martin Schäfter takes care of a football team's traditionally favourite mode of transport and gets the Union team from A to B in a season full of games. 

New to the team since July is Dominik Westerfeld, who as kit attendant takes care of everything the coaches and players need for their daily work. His daily business is providing training equipment, supplying drinks and tidying up the dressing room.