Horst Heldt is set to leave his position as director of sport at Stuttgart and join Bundesliga rivals Schalke.
Stuttgart's director of sport all set to join Bundesliga rivals
Horst Heldt is set to leave his position as director of sport at Stuttgart and join Bundesliga rivals Schalke.
The former Germany international has a desire to reunite with former mentor Felix Magath, who is currently the head coach at Schalke.
Heldt is seeking an early termination from his current contract with Stuttgart, which still has three years left to run, to enable him to take on the same role with the Gelsenkirchen club and allow Magath to focus more on managing the Royal Blues next season.
Stuttgart head coach Christian Gross revealed that the 40-year-old Heldt is indeed on his way out of the club.
"Heldt is going to say his goodbyes to the players," admitted the Swiss coach.
"I am surprised because we had both planned the season together.
"I had a successful time with him and I don't really know the reasons why he is leaving."
Vacuum
The former Tottenham manager has called on Stuttgart to replace Heldt as quickly as possible.
"I am convinced we will find the right person, but we cannot allow a vacuum to be created," he said.
"I hope we don't encounter any problems."
Magath initially signed Heldt as a player in 2002, with the former midfielder going on to make 54 appearances for the club before retiring in 2006.
Heldt was immediately installed as Stuttgart's director of sport and celebrated winning the Bundesliga in his first year in the role.
