Bjelica ban: Union Berlin managing director conciliatory

Union Berlin's 1-0 Bundesliga win over Darmstadt has helped ease tensions around their coach Nenad Bjelica, managing director Oliver Ruhnert has suggested.

Bjelica was suspended for three games by the national federation DFB after hitting Bayern Munich player Leroy Sané in the face during the teams' match on Wednesday.

The incident sparked a debate whether the only recently appointed Bjelica could continue.

Ruhnert had not fully backed the coach before Sunday's Darmstadt game but was more conciliatory after the win which saw Union move five points clear of the danger zone.

"It is always unfortunate when a head coach is missing for three games. But if we are as successful in the next two games as in this one it is a good story as well," Ruhnert told broadcasters ARD.

"We said that we didn't like the way Union Berlin's head coach behaved on Wednesday. We made that clear to the team and to the coach. We expected him to apologise formally, and he did.

"It's clear to us that something like this must never happen again."

Ruhnert also pointed out that Bjelica is conducting training as usual and that his ban only applies for matches where his assistants are in charge.

"Apart from the half hour before the game until the half hour after the game, he is not banned from working. He can lead training as normal and that's what he does," Ruhnert said.

"I think we did a very good job on the bench today. The three who are there as stand-ins are doing very well."