Schmidt to leave Heidenheim at end of season after almost 20 years

Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt will leave at the end of the season after spending almost 20 years in charge.

He led the modest club to the Bundesliga and Europe, but they are now back in the second tier where they sit sixth after 10 games.

“It was impressive how much the club has tried to extend my contract again,” the longest-serving coach in German professional football history said in a statement on Tuesday.

“However, over the past few weeks I have come to the conclusion that it is time to make a decision so that Heidenheim can plan for the future.”