Christoph Daum, a prominent figure in German and international football, passed away on August 25, 2024, at the age of 70 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. His family announced that he ‘died peacefully surrounded by his family’. Daum had been undergoing treatment since his diagnosis in autumn 2022, including 22 chemotherapy sessions.Daum’s coaching career was marked by both significant success and controversy. He led VfB Stuttgart to the Bundesliga title in 1992 and achieved multiple championships with Turkish clubs Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. His career also included successful stints with 1. FC Köln and in Austria with FK Austria Wien.However, Daum’s career was not without turbulence. In 2000, he was embroiled in a cocaine scandal that cost him the opportunity to become the German national team coach. Despite this setback, Daum demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuing his coaching career and achieving further success.Known for his charismatic personality and fighting spirit, Daum remained active in the public eye even during his illness, giving interviews and appearing on talk shows. He was quoted as saying, ‘The cancer has chosen the wrong body,’ reflecting his determination to inspire others.Daum’s passing has elicited tributes from across the football community, with many remembering his contributions to the sport and his complex legacy. As he once said, ‘You can fall. It’s not important how often you fall. You just have to get up again’ – a philosophy that seemed to define both his career and his battle with cancer.
Key points
- Christoph Daum, former Bundesliga coach, died at 70 after battling lung cancer.
- Daum had a successful yet controversial career, winning titles in Germany, Turkey, and Austria.
- His career was marred by a cocaine scandal in 2000, costing him the German national team coaching position.
- Despite setbacks, Daum was known for his resilience and continued to achieve success in coaching.
