by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The 2-0 defeat in Bremen marks the temporary end of a football fairytale for the FC Heidenheim.
"As things stand today, we are heading for the second division," coach Frank Schmidt said, mentioning it takes a miracle to escape relegation.
His team's poor performance and stats led the 52-year-old to have bad premonitions.
Since the introduction of the three-point rule in 1995, no club has managed to avoid relegation in Bundesliga history with only 14 points after 24 rounds.
"We might not meet the demands of the first tier at present," the Heidenheim-born said after he had taken his team from the fifth tier to the top league.
Traditionally operating with a low budget, Heidenheim has developed a promising strategy over the past few years that has attracted attention, culminating in 2024 in a UEFA Conference League encounter against Premier League powerhouse Chelsea (2-0) on home soil.
A group of local companies, acting as the club's sponsors, encouraged competitiveness, while Schmidt set a record for the longest-serving coach with 19 years in charge.
The first-tier promotion in 2023 proved challenging due to location issues. Although an extension to 25,000 spectators is being planned, the current limit of 15,000 requires a special permit from the league association, DFL.
With several key players leaving over the past few years, survival has become a challenge, while Heidenheim has maintained its familiar atmosphere.
While leading teams like Dortmund and Bayern boast massive stadiums and attract fans with all sorts of amenities, the FCH remained a small, rural club in a town of 50,000 people.
In the city's medieval setting, dominated by the impressive Hellenstein Castle built in 1096, a project has sparked enthusiasm among football romantics.
Excitement faces a tough challenge, with ten games left in the top league. Schmidt called it a test to stay hopeful and enjoy the remaining matches as much as possible.
The record coach indicated not only the club's journey but also that his might end next summer. Along with CEO Holger Sanwald, who is also from the region, Schmidt announced they would discuss things further.
"We have plenty of time to prepare for the second division," the coach said, admitting he is someone who believes rather than hopes. "To believe is a challenge at present," he said.
Nevertheless, Schmidt said his club's determination to establish itself in professional football remains strong. "Things go on after relegation," he said while the FCH, as the table's last, is suffering a nine-point setback to position 15. ■
