A unique figure in professional football: Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt. © AFP / THOMAS KIENZLE

Back in Natz: The last of his kind

1. FC Heidenheim is currently holding its training camp in South Tyrol for the fourth time in a row – more precisely in Natz/Schabs. The club represents rare values ​​in professional football.

July 17, 2026

From: dl

Frank Schmidt has been Heidenheim's head coach since September 17, 2007. The 52-year-old is a native of the city and played for his hometown club for many years. He has now been the first-team coach for almost 19(!) years. This puts him well ahead of German coaching icons Volker Finke (16 years in Freiburg), Otto Rehhagel, and Thomas Schaaf (14 years each at Werder Bremen).

Schmidt's story is particularly remarkable because he led the club from the then-Oberliga (fifth tier) through the Regionalliga (fourth tier), 3. Liga (third tier), and 2. Bundesliga (second tier) to the top flight and even into European competition – all without ever changing clubs. Schmidt and Heidenheim stand for special values ​​– such as honesty and loyalty. Even the first relegation during his tenure, after three years in the Bundesliga, did not bring an end to this success story.

Heidenheim set up their training camp in the Eisack Valley on Friday afternoon. They will train at the SV Natz grounds until next Saturday. Their next match is a friendly against Serie A club FC Bologna next Wednesday (16 p.m.) in Mühlbach.