He managed Tennis Borussia Berlin from 22 October 1996 to 18 November 1998. When Gerland took over Tennis Borussia Berlin, they were in seventh place. They finished the 1996–97 season in sixth place. Tennis Borussia Berlin were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga after the 1997–98 season after they finished in first place. They went undefeated through the 1997–98 season with a record of 29 wins and seven draws. He left the club during the 1998–99 season and had his final match on 13 November 1998, a 3–1 loss to SpVgg Unterhaching. They were in fifth place when he left the club. During the 1998–99 season, Gerland led Tennis Borussia Berlin to the quarter–finals of the German Cup after defeating Hannover 96, Stuttgarter Kickers, and Hertha BSC.