The 2009-10 campaign was a grueling battle for survival for 1. FC Nürnberg as Der Club finished a tense 16th in the Bundesliga, forcing them into the do-or-die German 1/2 Relegation/Promotion play-offs. The season was defined by mid-season turbulence, which saw Dieter Hecking take over as manager in December to lead the desperate fight to secure top-flight status. Leading the attack and proving vital in the relegation scrap was star striker Albert Bunjaku, whose 12 crucial league goals anchored the team. Their hard-fought victory in the play-offs secured their Bundesliga future and remains a defining chapter of the club's modern history.