The reserve team started the 2008–09 season with a 2–1 win against Union Berlin on 27 July 2008. On 27 April 2009, Bayern sacked Jürgen Klinsmann, along with assistants Martin Vasquez and Nick Theslof. Jupp Heynckes took over as manager for the remainder of the season and Gerland became the assistant. Mehmet Scholl took over the reserve team. Gerland's final match was a 3–2 loss to Erzgebirge Aue on 26 April 2009. The reserve team were in sixth place when Gerland left the team.