Christoph Daum is dead. The long-time Bundesliga coach died on Saturday at the age of 70 “peacefully surrounded by his family” in Cologne.
Köln – Christoph Daum is dead. The long-time Bundesliga coach died on Saturday at the age of 70 “peacefully surrounded by his family” in Köln. He had been fighting a bitter battle against cancer for years.
In October 2022, Christoph Daum (†70) was diagnosed with lung cancer. Now he is dead. (Archive photo) © Achim Scheidemann/dpa
The family of the Zwickau native confirmed the death to the German Press Agency. Daum leaves behind his wife Angelica Camm-Daum (61) – the couple had been married since 2007 – as well as four children and two grandchildren.
During a routine health check in October 2022, Daum received the bad news: “Irregularities occurred, as a result of which the lung cancer was discovered,” he explained at the time.
After the diagnosis, the cult coach, who was on the sidelines in the top flight of football for Stuttgart, Cologne, Leverkusen and Frankfurt, initially withdrew from public life.
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At some point he went on the offensive, gave interviews again and appeared on talk shows with his moving story. “Cancer chose the wrong body,” was his core message.
Daum has had to endure almost 30 chemotherapy treatments. Recently he even seemed to be feeling a little better. “I’m doing well considering the circumstances. It’s a case of driving by sight,” the 70-year-old explained to World TV.
The 70-year-old (3rd from right) sensationally won the German football championship with VfB Stuttgart in the 1991/1992 season. © Michael Jung/dpa
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In October 2000, Daum spoke at a press conference about the cocaine allegations against him. © Roland Scheidemann/dpa
The cancer diagnosis has “lost a bit of its horror. It is no longer the news of death. We have incredibly good therapies. I am in the best hands,” the football coach revealed.
Daum had even developed a tactic for the fight against the insidious disease: “It’s an absolute pressing situation.” The goal: “To put pressure on the opponent, on the cancer cells.” For two years, his plan worked.
The Cologne resident was one of the most dazzling personalities in the Bundesliga for many years. He sensationally won the German championship with VfB Stuttgart in 1992. But the cocaine scandal in 2000 was also legendary.
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A voluntary hair sample proved fatal to him and cost him the almost certain position of national coach. The sentence “I’m doing this because I have an absolutely clear conscience” is legendary to this day.
Despite the scandal, Daum fought his way back to the big stage. He won further titles in Austria and Turkey and led his beloved club 1. FC Cologne back to the upper house. Now he has lost his most important game.
