Frank Schmidt to Depart Heidenheim After Nearly Two Decades

Frank Schmidt, the head coach of 1. FC Heidenheim and the longest-serving manager in German professional football, has announced that he will leave his position at the end of the current season. The 52-year-old coach informed club CEO Holger Sanwald of his decision during a meeting on Monday, opting not to renew his contract, which is set to expire in June 2027.

Schmidt, who took charge of his hometown club in September 2007, has overseen a transformative era for the team. When he first arrived, Heidenheim was competing in the fifth tier of the German football pyramid. Under his leadership, the club embarked on a historic climb through the divisions, eventually securing promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2023. His tenure is widely regarded as one of the most significant success stories in modern German sports.

Reflecting on his decision, Schmidt stated that he had been contemplating his future for several weeks. He emphasized that his primary motivation for announcing the departure now was to provide the club with ample time to plan for a successor. "After almost 20 years as head coach of FCH, I simply want to take a break," Schmidt said in an official statement. He noted that he has no immediate plans for his career beyond July 1, 2027, and is currently focused solely on the remainder of the campaign.

CEO Holger Sanwald acknowledged the gravity of the announcement, describing it as a "turning point" for the organization. Sanwald confirmed that the club had made significant efforts to persuade Schmidt to extend his stay, but ultimately respected his desire to step away. The CEO credited the coach for the club’s remarkable progress, noting that their current standing in the professional ranks would not have been possible without his long-term guidance.

Throughout his nearly 20-year tenure, Schmidt has managed 756 competitive matches, including 102 games in the Bundesliga. His time at the helm included a debut season in the top flight that saw the team qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Although the club suffered relegation back to the 2. Bundesliga earlier this year, Schmidt remained committed to the project, continuing his record-breaking run as the manager with the longest continuous service at a single professional German club.

As the current season progresses, Heidenheim sits in sixth place in the 2. Bundesliga. Schmidt remains determined to finish his tenure on a high note, insisting that the "last chapter is not over yet." The team is scheduled to face Hannover this Sunday, with 24 league matches remaining in what will be the final season of a historic managerial partnership.

Before his coaching career, Schmidt was a professional player, having spent time at clubs including Nürnberg, Alemannia Aachen, and his hometown side, Heidenheim. He retired from playing in 2007 at the age of 33. His transition into coaching began as an assistant before he was promoted to the top role, where he eventually surpassed previous records for longevity in the German game.