Frank Schmidt and the crazy transfer market

Before the home game against Borussia Dortmund, Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt made emotional comments about his club's controversial reluctance in the transfer market.

Next Wednesday, Frank Schmidt celebrates his coaching birthday. 18 years ago, on September 17, 2007, he became head coach of 1. FC Heidenheim. An incredibly long and successful tenure in which the robust football coach led his hometown club from the Oberliga all the way to the Bundesliga.

But the 51-year-old can still get himself worked up a fury when football and its attendant phenomena more or less get out of hand. Keywords: transfer market, keyword social media. "A few years ago, during the coronavirus pandemic, we were still grateful and humble," said Schmidt at the press conference on Friday before the home game against Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., live at SWR1 Stadium), "and now we're asking for sums of money for players who have only spent one or two years playing in the second or third division without an accident. I don't understand that."

Even nearly two weeks after the end of the completely crazy Bundesliga transfer window, Frank Schmidt seems very moved and also angry. Especially since he and the Heidenheim management had been attacked by many FCH fans on social media for their reluctance in the player market. It was a veritable shitstorm, the likes of which were unheard of in Heidenheim: "I'm past the age where you read through these things every morning," said the Heidenheim coach, "but it still gets to you."

Schmidt shook his head: "Statements like 'We're preparing for the 2nd division,' I lack the brainpower and intelligence for. Anyone who knows us knows that we always try to get the most out of it. Have people forgotten how we got to the Bundesliga?" Frank Schmidt asked a rhetorical question. "I would certainly like more clarity and support on that. Some people seem to know better than those who work 24 hours a day for the club."

Despite the last-minute transfer of ace Leo Scienza to Southampton (Schmidt: "A few days before, he told me how comfortable he felt here") and a transfer fee of nine million euros, Heidenheim had decided not to make any further personnel changes, also at the express request of the coach.

Financial rationality continues to reign supreme in the Brenztal valley: FCH saw no possibility, even with "incredibly large transfer efforts, of finding a player who could strengthen our team to such an extent that we have a better chance of staying in the league," Schmidt explained. "When I hear about the millions of dollars being asked for, and no one knows whether this player will actually improve us or not, that has to be added value for me, and it has to be plausible."

It always has to do with "the sense and nonsense of how I want to play football, and also with regard to squad size," Schmidt also argued for avoiding potential panic buying. "We have to solve these brutally difficult tasks as a collective. That's why I felt a great desire to trust the players who are here. Especially since injured players like Frank Feller and Marvin Pieringer are also returning."

Everyone around the club, including the fans, has to decide for themselves whether they can identify with this path. The coach said he couldn't influence that. "All I can say," said Frank Schmidt, "is that I didn't see any point in throwing millions away without knowing whether it would actually help the team."

Now Frank Schmidt wants to focus even more on "bringing our DNA back onto the pitch in its entirety." Ideally, that would be on Saturday against Borussia Dortmund. Without Leo Scienza, but with increased team spirit and passion. Qualities that the coach impressively demonstrated at Friday's press conference. There's no question that a win for the still-pointless FCH against BVB would also make the coach's 18th birthday next Wednesday more enjoyable.

Broadcast on Saturday, September 13, 2025, 2:00 PM, Stadium, SWR1

• SWR
• 1. FC Heidenheim
• football
• Bundesliga