Heidenheimer in an interview, part 1

Frank Schmidt enjoys legendary status at 1. FC Heidenheim. The 50-year-old has experienced it all at Brenz, led the club to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2023 and is even enjoying his first on the international stage this season. Nothing more is possible – right? Next weekend, champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.) will be the next opponents. In the first part of the (Site notre blog d’information) interview, long-time FCH favorite Schmidt talks about his attitude to the party, the maximum possible, the difficult defeats of Tim Kleindienst and Jan-Niklas Beste, the maturity of Paul Wanner and the no-gos. with new signatures.

Transfer market: Mr Schmidt, what could you enjoy more: promotion to the Bundesliga in 2023 or a confident stay in the championship with qualification for the European Cup a year later?

Black-smith: I always celebrate festivals as they come. For me, staying in the league was more important. Unfortunately, I was lying on the sofa on crutches during the summer holidays because I had ankle surgery and had to enjoy the success a little differently. Getting promoted is one thing, but confirming your performance and even finishing eighth is a step above. And there’s one question you keep asking yourself…

Transfer market: Which one would be there?

Black-smith: How long does it take to go up? Where is the limit reached? We are currently seeing how difficult it is to win games in the Bundesliga again. That’s why I don’t celebrate successes as much and I’m happier inside. I have a strong winning mentality and, in reality, I only think about one thing: the next task. That’s what motivates me.

Transfer market: Speaking of parties: In August 2023 you said on “11Freunde” that you may no longer go to the last over-30 party you attended, also because you can no longer please everyone those who speak to you. What will your presence at such festivals look like in 2024?

Frank Schmidt: Traveling as a Bundesliga coach and remaining unknown – that no longer exists. Remember, I was only home in the summer because of the crutches. I think the last big party was the over 30 Christmas party in Heidenheim almost two years ago. When I do, I’m usually with a small circle of friends.

Transfer market: You wanted to look at the table for the first time after ten Bundesliga matches. After five games without a win, you are close to the relegation zone. What is your interim conclusion?

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Black-smith: Wolfsburg was a breakthrough match. If we had won, we would have been on the right track. However, we cannot be satisfied with recent results and are a little behind the music. Of course, the pressure is increasing and we are missing a few points. I know the discussions about the next main opponents. We are preparing for a somewhat bumpy road ahead. But the team is always ready to push the limits and tries everything. The games were close. The last few years have only been in one direction. We have to deal with the fact that there is a phase like this. It would be so nice if we could only celebrate successes.

Editor’s note: On the program after the international break: Leverkusen (A), Chelsea (H), Frankfurt (H), FC Bayern (A), Basaksehir (A) and Stuttgart (H). On the 1. FC Heidenheim calendar.

1. FC Heidenheim with a flawless record in the Conference League

Transfer market: In the Conference League, however, you got the full number of points. Is success in Europe a danger for the Bundesliga because it can distract from everyday affairs?

Black-smith: My wife said, “You wanted it that way.” » And of course, we accept it that way. What we lack to some extent is normal training. In terms of team tactics, we cannot currently work as we are used to. We play, regenerate, sleep, eat, prepare for the opponent in final training and play again. This is why I am not unhappy with the international break. We don’t complain and try to make the best of it. It’s not easy for us at the moment. Our main task is to stick to it.

Transfer market: Heidenheim achieved something historic with promotion and qualification for the European Cup. You mentioned it: has this reached the peak of the maximum possible for the club?

Black-smith: That’s probably the case. In recent years, this development has only progressed in one direction. We achieved something unimaginable and something no one could have expected. But to now speak of an ultima ratio would also be an error. We just have to balance expectations with what we can achieve. If we organize the course, it would be an additional step. To understand this, just take a look at the 2nd league. You would actually expect a lot of teams to be in our position in the Bundesliga.

Transfer market: You have been Heidenheim’s coach since 2007. How many times over all these years have you felt the need to do something new, but then rejected the idea?

Black-smith: Not once, otherwise I would have taken advantage of the opportunity. Anyone who knows me knows that when I commit, you can count on me 100 percent. Of course, not everything is easy here in Heidenheim, regardless of the results. Perhaps we are facing the most difficult phase of my coaching tenure.

It will only be about staying in the championship.

Transfer market: How do you determine this?

Black-smith: We say very clearly that 1. FC Heidenheim will not play in the Bundesliga for the next ten years. That would be a misconception. Everyone should know how we have been doing things for years: with sales of players and new recruits from the second, third or even fourth division. We cannot expect things to automatically continue this way. The new players have a lot of potential, but still have to develop in the Bundesliga. Even after leading the table after the second day, I said: it will only be about staying in the championship.

Transfer market: Maybe they had the right nose.

Black-smith: It will be a brutal fight until the end. I think everyone feels a little validated and would like it to be a little more comfortable. But we are not “making a wish”. Ultimately, as in any business, there is a bottom line: it must be fair. You get what you deserve. We are confident that we will be above the line at the end of the season. If we are 14th like we are now, it would be a huge success. I can only promise that we will do everything in our power to achieve this. Every year again. Because it doesn’t always go higher. You often have to take a step back to move forward again.

Transfer market: What do you mean specifically?

Black-smith: It’s about team planning when the best performing players transfer. This was a turning point for us this summer. We are still refocusing our attack. With the exception of Adrian Beck, Stefan Schimmer, Denis Thomalla and Marvin Pieringer, everyone is new up front.

Departures from 1. FC Heidenheim as motivation for coach Schmidt

Transfer market: How worried were you that your successful team could collapse, especially after the departure of your best players Tim Kleindienst and Jan-Niklas Beste?

Black-smith: Many people in the neighborhood were worried. But as a coach I always need situations like this. If you have been at the club for so long, a change is necessary every now and then to reposition yourself. This is my vocation and it motivates me. I have an immense desire and respect to overcome these obstacles. I have other worries in my life.

Transfer market: The talented Paul Wanner is currently particularly in the spotlight and has the choice between the German and Austrian national team. How do you perceive it?

Black-smith: Totally mature and thoughtful for his 18th birthday, with a clear project. It’s not like he asks me for advice every day. He already knows it himself, as do his parents and his counselor. A lot of things happen to him. We are very happy with him. He’s already come a long way as a personality, but I think we can give him a little more in terms of tools. He’s had a little more difficult time in the last few games, but that’s completely normal for his first real year in the Bundesliga. He has great potential and stands tall in life. I am sure that if he stays injury free and continues to improve at each level, he can become an exceptional (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er.

Transfer market: You preach values ​​like reliability to your players. What type and category of players will the FCH never recruit?

Black-smith: Dishonest, lazy, know-it-all.

Transfer market: Has this already happened?

Black-smith: We are very good at building the team because we know exactly what we want. And the consultants also know what is suitable and not suitable for Heidenheim. It’s not uncommon for us to deal with a player, but then the agent says, « He’s not right for you! » » It is clear that not all players have the character or nature of Heidenheim. The constellation must be good, the collective is the most important thing. We don’t have a 100% success rate, but we have a very good one. There were times when things didn’t add up at all.

By Philipp Marquardt

The second part will follow soon: Schmidt talks about the right time to quit, future plans, no offers, a broken promise to his wife, and his high energy level.