Perfect timing

That day deserves a thick chapter in the history books of 1. FSV Mainz 05. The defensive battle with Hertha BSC on Saturday, which ended 0-0, saw the club finish sixth for the first time in its history and qualify for the Europa League. But it was not just this great success in the club's history that led to overwhelming feelings at the Coface Arena as the club and fans said an emotional goodbye to Elkin Soto and sporting director Christian Heidel. 

Elkin Soto made his brief comeback against Hertha after over a year out injured. Physically healthy again, but not yet fully battle-ready. The moment of his introduction alone caused goose bumps. Under normal conditions, coach Martin Schmidt should have brought on Leon Balogun to counter the aerial superiority of Hertha as they looked to score a winner, but the Swiss decided to make a massive gesture for the final 30 seconds of the match. "I simply thought, if there's justice then nothing else will happen," said Schmidt as he described his dilemma in deciding between reason and emotion. 

The farewell to sporting director Christian Heidel was just as emotional. How do you say goodbye to a man who has spent 24 years at the club making important decisions ranging from the squad to the coach to the stadium? He was presented with a trophy 111cm in height, to represent the club’s 111 years, as a reward for everything that he has done so far without reward, including promotion to the Bundesliga and qualifying for European competition.

"So much happened on Saturday that I need to think about my feelings in calmness," said Martin Schmidt, who was already back in his office at the Bruchwegstadion on Sunday morning despite late-night celebrations the night before. "I'll certainly try and relive the feelings again in the next few days."

Martin Schmidt refused to make clear the club's plans going forward, but the club has already cast its eye towards the future. On one hand, that includes the appointment of Rouven Schröder as new sporting director, who has worked in the background since April to ensure a seamless transition from Christian Heidel and has now officially taken over. He will be presented by the club at a press conference on Tuesday at 11.30 CEST. 

On the other hand, the club are also making concrete plans for the coming season. "We have a plan for if we qualify directly for the Europa League, which we have now done, and we will now concentrate on this plan," said Martin Schmidt. "We are now looking to implement a concrete plan that we can carry out in training to cope with the strains of many midweek games next season."

It has been announced that training will recommence on 29th June and that there will be two training camps. Mainz will travel to Colorado Springs in the USA for one week in July before a more conventional training camp in late-July/early-August, probably somewhere in Europe. "For us it's good that we can have a calm pre-season without interruptions," stressed Schmidt. That would not have been possible if the team had finished seventh and had to take part in qualification for the Europa League. 

The coach also wants to react to the expected increased burden. "As it stands, we have a squad that is good enough for the Bundesliga. We will look at it in terms of the new burdens of the Europa League and adapt it where necessary. We need a squad that can perform in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League," said Schmidt. "We worked hard to qualify for the Europa League and want to prove ourselves there. We are also responsible for representing the Bundesliga in the European coefficient and want to contribute so that other clubs can profit from good domestic performances in the future.” The draw for the Europa League group stage will be hotly anticipated by all Mainz players and fans, and that will take place in late-August before the competition begins in mid-September.

There should also be no concerns that the club’s priorities will shift, as the Bundesliga will remain the main aim for the club. “Next season’s league campaign will be about nothing more than remaining in the division,” said Schmidt. Clubs such as Freiburg, Eintracht and Augsburg have all demonstrated what European participation can do to a domestic campaign.