Fully involved, for 13 years:.
Photo: imago images / Sascha Walther
When 1. FC Heidenheim celebrates, “then right”, coach Frank Schmidt had said over a year ago when asked about a possible promotion to the Bundesliga. “Then,” added the 46-year-old with a smile, “let’s let the mosquitoes fly backwards too.” Indeed, it could soon be the case that the biting insects in the tranquil town of 50,000 inhabitants on the Brenz change their flight behavior.
1. FC Heidenheim has a good chance of relegating against Fortuna Düsseldorf or Werder Bremen before the season finale on Sunday with leader Arminia Bielefeld as third in the table in the second division. »I don’t care what opponent we should play against. We have won against both clubs before. But first we have to beat Bielefeld, «said CEO Holger Sanwald.
The self-confidence in the small Heidenheim is great. »We were always smiled at as a village club. But with our honest and down-to-earth work, even big clubs can learn from us, «emphasized Sanwald. Like the Hamburger SV. 1. FC Heidenheim, which would have almost disgraced Bayern in the DFB Cup quarter-finals 2019 at 4: 5, has for years established itself in the 2nd league with serenity, professionalism, cohesion, vision and continuity. In the past season, the club from the Ostalb had long been a candidate for promotion.
Success has a name: Frank Schmidt. He has been a coach since 2007, when he was still in the top division. And the Heidenheim native, who also played football for the predecessor club Heidenheimer SB, has long since become an institution. “He can only fire himself,” repeated Sanwald – himself with the club for 26 years – most recently.
Schmidt’s secret to success? »If you have been a trainer for as long as Christian Streich in Freiburg or me here, then it is not enough to be technically good. You need social skills, ”the coach once said in an interview with“ Zeit ”. But above all, he doesn’t “take himself more important than I am”. He also talks to his players »about other things, we laugh and cry together. So that’s what life is all about. Football is my life. «
There were several offers for the successful coach: “But I feel valued here.” Which is why he extended his contract until 2023. According to Schmidt, the club always has goals and is never satisfied, which suits me well. I am an ambitious and emotional person. There has never been a day when I didn’t feel like it. ”That translates to his team, led by Captain Marc Schnatterer. The 34-year-old, who has been with FCH since 2008, is also an icon on the Ostalb.
Schmidt and Schnatterer now want to make the ascent together. In this way, the club has been building on the environment and its financial strength for years. “Heidenheim alone would probably be too small, but the whole region has it. We found our niche, ”said Sanwald. He also sees a possible ascent pragmatically. Issues such as the necessary reconstruction of the Voith Arena, which only has 15,000 spectators and is located next to Hellenstein Castle above the city, are “feasible and solvable”. Now only the last step is missing to let the mosquitoes fly backwards. SID/nd
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