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Struggling Bundesliga side FC Augsburg have replaced their head coach Manuel Baum with Martin Schmidt for the remainder of the 2018/19 season.
Schmidt’s first day as head coach included taking part in his first training session with the team. According to the Swiss coach, it was an easy decision to accept the Augsburg job. “I could always see myself as part of FC Augsburg. The team has worked its way up, its youth academy is fantastic, and I like the way they play. I knew that I would feel at home here.”
Not much time remains in the current season, with just six matchdays left, including three home games. But, Martin Schmidt regards the end of the season positively. “Obviously we can’t practice playing three new formations or host a two-week training camp in the short time that remains. We need to start simple and find a plan that fits the team and that everyone can identify with. I want to get the team playing with passion again.”
Augsburg have defined themselves in the past as a spirited, aggressive, and exciting team, something that Martin Schmidt is well aware of. “Even at my past clubs I knew that we’d be in for a tough game whenever we would face Augsburg. It wasn’t fun to play here. Something that I’ve always noticed as a coach and observer is that all the fans support the club 100 per cent and it’s exactly this spirit that I hope we can rekindle here.”
Schmidt felt at home as soon as he arrived at the club, and is looking forward to his time in Augsburg. “It only took until the first training session for me to realize how much I have missed being a Bundesliga coach. I have met the other coaches, the team, and club officials and tomorrow we can really get started. I’m very proud to be here in Augsburg and want to share my excitement at having been handed this task with the team.”
FC Augsburg still have to face Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart, who also both fighting to remain in the first division. Their upcoming match will be against Eintracht Frankfurt, who are currently in fourth. “I think the end of the season is difficult for every team, especially in the Bundesliga. There are no easy games, but at the moment we control whether we stay up or not. We want to stay focused on our remaining games and make an impact where we can. How our opponents play doesn’t matter to us.”
