Dirk Schuster has been linked with Augsburg. Thorsten Wagner/Bongarts/Getty Images

Darmstadt say coach Dirk Schuster has asked to be released from his contract, despite it running until 2018.

Schuster took Darmstadt from the third division to the Bundesliga in consecutive seasons, while the club secured a spot in the top tier in the next season as well.

Darmstadt president Ruediger Fritsch says the club will discuss Schuster's request before making a decision.

Schuster has been widely linked with Augsburg, whose coach Markus Weinzierl in turn is expected to move to Schalke.