“Heidenheim failed to win its first ever promotion in the Bundesliga, after losing to Stuttgart the play-off of promotion / relegation in 2023”, could have been a headline, if Heidenheim would have lost at Jahn Regensburg in the last week game of the 2. Bundesliga 2022-2023 season. Nine years after its first ever promotion in the second tier of German football, 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 was about to settle for a play-off game, as well as Jahn Regensburg, their away opponent. Because, in the 90+3, the guests were 1-2 down and it looked to fight for a unlikely promotion with their much more famous neighbor from Baden Wurttemberg, VfB Stuttgart, that w as coming after a poor season in Bundesliga, on the edge of relegation. Also, a win would kept a very slim chance for the hosts to avoid direct relegation.
Frank Schmidt & Heidenheim turned everything in a few minutes
It could have been, but in a blink of an eye, or better said two, everything turned upside down. And Frank Schmidt’s team, scored twice, in stoppage and not only winning the game, but winning the promotion to Bundesliga from the 1st spot. First time ever, for the team from the small 50k inhabitants town. OK, things like these happen in football, it is a romantic tale, but does it have more special sauces? Well, actually it does and it seems to be the exact name mentioned above: Frank Schmidt. Born in Heidenheim, he played football at decent level, but never was considered a top player and neither did he crossed paths with his native town. Until 2003. Exactly two decades behind. At 29 years of age he retired for his final years of playing in his fifth division native town. Nothing special.
16 years in charge and counting!
Actually, until 2007, when he effectively called off his career, the only performance here was climbing to fourth division. And then the football section separated from the mother sport club and Frank Schmidt took the charge. Heidenheim had no performance pedigree so there was no pressure, but now, in 2023, after a long path of 16 years as a coach, the guy made the impossible and not only resisted in charge here, but took the team from the fifth tier up to Bundesliga. Now, it seems very hard for them, but they are gathering points. And it is likely, or at least, there is a high probability, they will keep their slot in the top division for next year. Meanwhile, Frank Schmidt became the all time leader for all coaches in Germany in terms of longevity. 2007 – 2023 and still counting. What a process!
Photo source: onefootball.com