Union Berlin: The Preview

The Bundesliga season is just a matter of days away, so it’s time to preview every side ahead of another exciting campaign.

Today… Union Berlin

The Story of Last Season:

After improbable survival in their first season in the topflight, just about every pundit in Germany foresaw Union Berlin getting relegated in 20/21.

Instead, Urs Fischer worked another miracle, qualifying for the inaugural UEFA Conference League with a 7th place finish.

Then again, people doubted Die Eiserne’s ability to compete on two-fronts, clearly dropping down the league table with the addition of Thursday night football.

Once more, Union humbled us all. They qualified for the UEFA Europa League with an even more impressive 5th place finish.

Maybe… just maybe, it’s time to stop doubting this East-German outfit, lest they leave us dumbfounded once more by qualifying for the Champions League next year!

The Star Player:

The fact that it is impossible to pick out a star player in this Union set up is the essence of what is so impressive about this club. Everyone - team, management, and fans - is pulling on the same side of the rope to create an environment that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

With that said, the biggest credit must go to the man at the front of it all - Oliver Ruhnert.

Despite a revolving door of talent, and a noncompetitive wage bill, the 50-year old sporting director continues to work wonders by leading Union to their best historical league position 4 times in a row now. With a coaching team that continues to defy expectations and a playing squad that reinvents itself year upon year, Ruhnert is definitely one of the unsung heroes in German football.

The U23 One to Watch: