Frank Schmidt will leave 1. FC Heidenheim at the end of the season after deciding not to renew his contract. The 52-year-old has coached the club since 2007 and told chairman Holger Sanwald of his decision on Monday, according to the club. Schmidt said he intends to take a break after the season.
Schmidt said he had reached his decision in recent weeks, despite the club’s efforts to extend his contract. He had already suggested in the spring that the current campaign might be his last in charge; he has now confirmed he will depart. He plans to focus on the team’s results until the final match and said he is not yet considering what he will do after July 1.
Sanwald described the departure as a major turning point for the club. He praised Schmidt’s contribution to Heidenheim’s sporting progress and said the coach had embodied the club’s values.
Schmidt took charge in September 2007, initially on an interim basis. He guided Heidenheim from Germany’s fourth tier to the Bundesliga and, for a period, the Conference League. The club was relegated from the Bundesliga last summer and is currently sixth in the 2. Bundesliga. Heidenheim has not announced who will replace Schmidt.
Sources: Der Spiegel.