Official | Frank Schmidt announces he will step aside after 20 years coaching Heidenheim | OneFootball

Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt has confirmed that he will be departing his long-time club at the conclusion of next season. The 52-year-old’s contract will expire at the end of the 2026/27 campaign; during which his current last-placed Bundesliga side is expected to spend in the 2. Bundesliga. Schmidt announced his intention to step down in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt. 

Frank Schmidt has served Heidenheim for 19 seasons

Schmidt, who ended his playing career with his hometown club in 2007, was appointed just the second head coach of the newly reformatted FCH in very same year. Schmidt’s legendary coaching career saw him lead Heideneheim from the fifth division all the way to the Bundesliga.

Highlights of the club’s three-season-stint in the German top flight saw the Ostalbenschwaben represent German football in the Europa Conference League last season. Schmidt also helped the club avoid relegation via the playoffs last year. 

When Christian Streich stepped down at Freiburg at the end of the 2023/24 season, Schmidt became the Bundesliga’s longest serving coach. Assuming Heidenheim are relegated at the end of the season, that honor will now belong to Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß.

The club does remain committed to their long-serving head coach and Schmidt has actually left the door open for a potential change-of-course. For the time being, however, it does look as if Schmidt isn’t enthusiastic about carrying on.

Schmidt leaves the door open for a potential stay

“I will soon be entering my 20th consecutive season with FCH and that will presumably be my last year as coach in Heidenheim,” Schmidt told the Abdendblatt. “In the past, I’ve always extended my contract early and for the long term. I simply didn’t feel that way this time. It wouldn’t have been fair of me to accept the offer and secure personal stability for myself.”

“Of course, I’ve thought about quitting at times,” Schmidt continued. “When the results aren’t there, it’s natural to question oneself. But when the support is there, I’m not the type to walk away. Neither in times of success when I could have taken the next step, nor in the current situation. I’m driven to achieve something good next season in my 20th and final contract year, whatever that may be.”

GGFN | Peter Weis