Famous coach Christoph Daum, who coached Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Bursaspor, has died at the age of 70

Christoph Daum, the respected German football coach known for his contributions to several top European clubs, has died at the age of 70.

Daum, who was undergoing treatment for a lung disease, left a lasting mark on the football world, particularly in Turkey, where he coached Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Bursaspor.

The legendary coach’s career spanned several clubs

Daum was born in October 1953 and began his football career as a midfielder with Duisburg and 1. FC Köln. His managerial career began in 1986 when he became head coach of 1. FC Köln. Daum achieved his first major success in the 1991/92 season when he led Stuttgart to the Bundesliga title.

Daum's influence on Turkish football

In 1993, Daum took over at Beşiktaş mid-season and quickly made an impression, winning the Turkish Cup in his first season, followed by a league title the next year. After leaving Besiktas in 1996, Daum returned to the club in March 2001, although his second stint lasted just three months.

Daum's connection to Turkish football continued when he returned to coach Fenerbahçe in 2003. Under his leadership, Fenerbahçe secured two consecutive league titles, but in his third season the team narrowly missed out on the championship, losing it to Galatasaray in the final week.

In the 2009/10 season, Daum returned to Fenerbahçe, where a similar fate awaited him: in the last week, the team was overtaken by Bursaspor and lost the championship.

Daum's last chapter in Turkish football was the 2013/14 season at Bursaspor. Despite a two-year contract, the collaboration ended within a year due to poor results.

He took on the last role of his outstanding coaching career in the 2016–17 season with the Romanian national team.

Graduation years and Daum'S legacy

Christoph Daum's legacy as a coach is marked by his tactical acumen and his ability to inspire teams to success, particularly in Turkey, where he is remembered as a key figure in the country's football history.

Christoph Daum has won the Turkish Championship, the Turkish Cup and the Turkish Super Cup with Beşiktaş in Turkey, while he has won the Turkish Championship and the Turkish Super Cup twice with Fenerbahçe.

Christoph Daum most recently coached the Romanian national team in his coaching career.

Christoph Daum, who expressed his love for Turkey at every opportunity, expressed his attachment to our country with the words “I am not a Turkish friend, I am half Turk”.