People in Württemberg call a creator someone who can get things done, is hardworking, conscientious, who doesn't shy away from work, but above all: who knows what he's doing. Frank Schmidt is one of them. Someone who is "manageable", as Holger Sanwald, the chairman of the board of 1st FC Heidenheim, once said about his coach in an interview with the F.A.Z.

Jan Ehrhardt

Sports editor.

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Schmidt took over the Heidenheim football team in 2007, almost immediately after the end of his career in the same (he is said to have been a tough defender, goal-scoring at that), first on an interim basis, then, because things were going well, permanently. And he has been allowed to stay to this day, no coach in German professional football has been in office longer than Schmidt at 1st FC Heidenheim, who, it has been clear since this weekend, will play in the Bundesliga next season for the first time in his club's history.

Schmidt is an outstanding football coach

However, this historic achievement – Schmidt led his team from the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg to Germany's highest football league – could hardly harm the 49-year-old. He stoically trudged across the lawn, smiling almost embarrassed at what he had achieved. And he even met the beer showers with a great deal of pragmatism: "It's good, guys."

Schmidt has always taken a step back where necessary and only pushes himself to the fore when he is needed. He is a fine observer, his head slightly tilted (because of an ossification of the cervical spine), his eyes narrowed, almost always with the hint of a smile on his lips. And he is a child of Heidenheim, born there and raised in the region. Socialized as a footballer at SSV Ulm and 1st FC Nuremberg, second division steeled at Alemannia Aachen, then back to Heidenheim to the sports association in the Verbandsliga, from which the 1st FCH would eventually emerge.

Schmidt ended his playing career as captain, and today he is a father figure to many of his players. He listens, strengthens their belief in their own qualities, works tirelessly with them on their weaknesses. Always constructive, sometimes decisive, yes, but never unfair. He also talks to his players about things outside of football. That's important, says Schmidt, who puts the human element above many things, even in the midst of the forces of professional football. "He's getting better and better as a coach, with every experience he makes, even with every disappointment he experiences," Sanwald said.

Frank Schmidt is an outstanding football coach. Some would say: Frank Schmidt is just a real creator.