Martin Schmidt: FCA’s new head coach

FC Augsburg presented Martin Schmidt as their new head coach on Wednesday. The Swiss coach has already experienced life in the Bundesliga in charge of 1. FSV Mainz 05 and VfL Wolfsburg. Martin Schmidt took part in his first press conference as Augsburg head coach with a smile on his face. “I’m delighted to be here. I’ve missed this feeling!” It was clear during the press conference that he’s an experienced Bundesliga head coach. He has always had a soft spot for FC Augsburg, which is why he could always imagine taking the job at some point: “I am back doing what I love doing the most. I’m incredibly proud to be here in Augsburg.” Mainz, Wolfsburg and now Augsburg Before Martin Schmidt ended up working in the Bundesliga, he grew up in the tranquil setting of Naters in Switzerland. The 51-year-old has never lost his love for the mountains: “It’s important that I feel at home and I think that’s the case in Augsburg. My dream was always to take a coaching job that’s near the Alps. Here in Augsburg I’m only two hours from the mountains.” Schmidt’s first steps in the Bundesliga came away from the mountains in Mainz. Initially, he was in charge of the second team, before he celebrated his Bundesliga debut in the 2014/15 season. A year later, his Mainz side finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League. Their European dream ended after their finished third the following season. After seven years in Mainz, Schmidt moved to Wolfsburg, before taking some time out of the game ahead of his move to Augsburg. Here he wants to find an apartment as quickly as possible, so that he can settle into life in the city and at the club. “I had no choice but to move into a hotel as I haven’t had the time to find anything else, but I want to move into the city centre as soon as I an. I like to be around people.” Welcome to Augsburg, Martin Schmidt!