Whether in the Bundesliga or the division below, one thing is clear: Frank Schmidt will honour his contract with 1. FC Heidenheim, which runs until 2027. After 20 years on the banks of the Brenz, he will then call time on his reign. That does not mean, however, that the 52-year-old cannot envisage taking on a role at another club, as he explained in an interview.
Getty Images SportCould there be a shock after 20 years at the same club? Long-serving manager Frank Schmidt hints at a major surprise
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DirecTV
✅ Carries USA Network, guaranteeing access to the 30+ highest-profile English-language marquee matches per season (including Der Klassiker).
✅ Carries Telemundo and Universo alongside USA Network and CNBC, giving you access to the biggest matches across both English and Spanish broadcasts.
✅ Allows you to effortlessly record the live weekend matches airing on traditional television to watch later on your own schedule.
Monthly from$79.99
Spanish Coverage
Peacock
✅ While the English rights are split between two platforms, Peacock streams all 300+ Bundesliga matches live and on-demand with authentic Spanish commentary.
✅ Provides a single, unified digital hub for bilingual fans who want guaranteed access to every single game on the schedule without switching platforms.
✅ Your subscription also includes NBC's massive slate of English Premier League matches, allowing you to stream two of Europe's top leagues in the same app.
Monthly from$7.99
Free Streaming
Fandango
✅ Serves as the primary English-language platform for the US market, streaming over 270 live Bundesliga matches throughout the season.
✅ For the first time in years, the vast majority of the schedule is completely free to access without requiring a monthly sports subscription.
✅ Easily accessible across smart TVs and mobile devices without needing a cable-authenticated login, operating similarly to other FAST (free ad-supported streaming) services.
Watch todayFREE
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✅ Carries Telemundo and Universo alongside USA Network and CNBC, giving you access to the biggest matches across both English and Spanish broadcasts.
✅ Allows you to effortlessly record the live weekend matches airing on traditional television to watch later on your own schedule.
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gettyVictory in Cologne: Heidenheim keep their promotion hopes alive
First, though, came the fight against relegation. "We have to win. Full stop. That's it. Football can be that simple," Schmidt told reporters before Heidenheim's away trip to 1. FC Köln on Sunday.
No sooner said than done: Schmidt's side travelled to Cologne and returned with a 3-1 victory, climbing off the foot of the table for the first time in months. The win marked Schmidt's 100th Bundesliga match in charge of FCH.
The FCH now heads into the season finale level on points with FC St. Pauli and VfL Wolfsburg. Heidenheim host 1. FSV Mainz, while Wolfsburg and St. Pauli meet in Hamburg. A win, coupled with the right result in the other game, could still propel Schmidt's side into the relegation play-off berth. That outcome would be…?
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