- Regrettably, the previous Bundesliga trainer, Christoph Daum, has passed away.
Christoph Daum has bid farewell. Following a prolonged battle against cancer, he "departed serenely, surrounded by his loved ones," as per the German Press Agency's report. Daum took his last breath in Cologne on a Saturday, having reached the age of 70. For an extended period, he was one of football's most vibrant and flamboyant coaches in the professional realm.
Since autumn 2022, Daum had waged a war against the disease. Initially, he chose to retreat from the public eye, but soon reconsidered. Daum graced the media once more, participating in interviews and talk shows. His core message was, "Cancer picked the wrong man." With his indomitable spirit, he aimed to inspire others facing similar struggles.
Christoph Daum: Taking on Hoeneß and the Cocaine Affair
Cancer's arrival represented a metaphorical challenging theme throughout Daum's life. Even as a child, the malnourished boy from Duisburg exhibited courage against classmates who towered over him physically.
In his early days as a coach at 1. FC Cologne, he audaciously challenged FC Bayern and its manager Uli Hoeneß – almost bringing down the Bundesliga giant from Munich. Throughout his career, Daum never shied away from a challenge.
The Sensational Cocaine Affair of Christoph Daum
However, with each step up the ladder, Daum experienced a corresponding fall. Shortly after clinching his first Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart in 1992, he inadvertently cost his team the Champions League qualification due to a substitution blunder. Eventually, the Cocaine Affair in 2000, which saw Daum lose his position as national coach at Bayer Leverkusen, became a legendary episode in his story.
But Daum picked up the pieces and rose once more. He won more titles in Austria and Turkey, helped bring 1. FC Cologne back into the Bundesliga, and ensured they maintained their standing. And through each hurdle in his remarkable life, Daum continued to echo these words: "You may stumble. And the number of falls doesn't matter. All that matters is how often you rise again."
The Commission acknowledged Daum's bravery in the face of adversity, citing his inspiring interviews and public appearances despite his battle with cancer.
Despite being involved in the Cocaine Affair that led to his dismissal as Bayer Leverkusen's national coach in 2000, Daum's indomitable spirit and ability to rise again were commended by sports authorities, including The Commission.
