1. FSV Mainz 05 confirmed, on Tuesday, that head coach Martin Schmidt had signed a three-year extension with the club.
Schmidt, who was Mainz II's manager from 2010, got the call to be coach when Kasper Hjulmand was sacked earlier in the campaign. Since taking charge in mid-February, Schmidt has gathered three wins and three draws from his eight games at the helm.
Mainz currently sit seven points above the relegation zone following a hard-fought 2-3 win over SC Freiburg at the weekend; their new boss seems to have steered them away from any pervious fears of dropping into the 2. Bundesliga.
"Martin Schmidt has swiftly found his feet in the Bundesliga as a coach," said sporting director Christian Heidel. "He took over the team at a tricky stage of the season and has provided the right momentum so that we have in sight the prospect of a successful end to the season."
Schmidt also had his say on the extension, "I'm really pleased with the trust that this contract places in me. It's a great challenge to be in charge of developing the Mainz team and continuing the work of my predecessors.
"The task, though, is made easier by the close co-operation within the club and also the city and our fans. For me, there is no greater motivation ahead of the coming games than that of ensuring the club's place in the Bundesliga," he added.
Quotes via Bundesliga.com