Bundesliga club Mainz part ways with coach Schmidt after difficult season

Schmidt, who took over the side in February 2015, saw his team pick up just two wins in their final 12 matches of the campaign

Written by: Rachit.Kanaujia

Published: May 23, 2017, 4:27 PM IST

https://www.india.com/sports/bundesliga-club-mainz-part-ways-with-coach-schmidt-after-difficult-season-2161256/

Martin Schmidt sacked by Mainz. (GettyImages)

Bundesliga side Mainz have announced they have parted ways with coach Martin Schmidt at the end of a disappointing 2016-17 season that saw them flirt with relegation. There was no immediate word on a successor.

Schmidt, who took over the side in February 2015, saw his team pick up just two wins in their final 12 matches of the campaign to tumble down the table and finish out of the relegation/promotion play-off place only on goal difference.

Mainz announced via their official website on Monday that the Bundesliga club had relieved Martin Schmidt of his duties as head coach. Also Read: David Moyes resigns as Sunderland manager after relegation from Premier League

Mainz sporting director Rouven Schroeder says, “This mutual and amicable termination of our co-operation comes after a very frank and honest conversation” and that the club needs “a new impulse and perspective” going forward.

“My wish is for us to resolve this question quickly,” Schröder said. “However, we will not be driven by external forces.”

Schmidt, the club’s former under-23 coach, oversaw 29 wins and 18 draws from 81 Bundesliga games, however, in this season, Mainz flirted with relegation and finished the season in 15th place, one place above the relegation playoff spot.