It would be the end of an era. After almost 20 years as Heidenheim coach, Frank Schmidt (52) has hinted at his departure for the first time after his contract ends in 2027. Schmidt told the Hamburger Abendblatt: “I will soon be in my 20th season at FCH, which is likely my last year as a coach in Heidenheim.”
And further: “In the past, I always extended my contract early for the long term. But I didn’t feel like it now.” He concludes: “It would not have been fair of me to accept the offer and provide myself with personal security.”
No early departure in the summer
On Saturday, Schmidt’s Heidenheim will face FC St. Pauli in the relegation duel (3:30 p.m./Sky and on bild.de in the live ticker). Bottom team Heidenheim would be the first relegation of this Bundesliga season if they lose to 16th placed St. Pauli. However, neither Schmidt nor the club management are considering an early departure this summer. Schmidt: “Of course, I also thought about quitting. If the sporting results are missing, it would be strange not to question oneself.”
Schmidt: “I have the drive to create something good”
And further: “If the support is there, I am not someone who runs away. Not in the case of success – what I could have done to take the next step – nor in the current situation.” The long-term coach about the upcoming time: “I have the drive to create something good in my 20th and last year of the contract – whatever that may be.”
Schmidt led the small-town club to the Bundesliga
Frank Schmidt took over the club from Heidenheim in September 2007 initially as an interim coach, was then permanently hired, and led the Swabians to the Bundesliga. He has been the longest-serving coach in German professional football since September 17, 2023, surpassing Volker Finke’s record (75, from 1991 to 2007 at SC Freiburg).
