Manager Schmidt extends stay at Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen (Germany): German football club Bayer Leverkusen and coach Roger Schmidt will continue their association until June 2019.

Schmidt extended his contract one year ahead of schedule by putting pen-to-paper on a new deal on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

"Roger Schmidt has fulfilled our sportive hopes and expectations in the first year of cooperation. Our style of play bears his signature and finds a great recognition nationally and internationally," Leverkusen chief executive Michael Schade said.

The 48-year-old coach joined Bayer Leverkusen from Austrian side Salzburg in April 2014 by inking a two-year deal. Under his guidance, Leverkusen finished in top-four to ensure a Champions League playoff spot.

"In the course of this first year it became quickly clear to me that Bayer Leverkusen is the club were I want to work for a longer period. We are still at the beginning of our development. We have a young team with great potential and a great team spirit. I am looking forward to the coming years," Schmidt said.

Leverkusen sit in fourth place of the Bundesliga standings. They face 11th placed Frankfurt at the last round of the season.