Caspers steps down at Köln
Friday, May 7, 2004
Article summary
Albert Caspers has resigned as president of 1. FC Köln, and is expected to be replaced by Wolfgang Overath.
Article body
Albert Caspers has resigned as president of 1. FC Köln, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last weekend.
Board meeting
In a board meeting held to discuss the future of the club, Caspers surprised few observers by standing down. Announcing his resignation, he said: "I am no longer willing to accept the pressure that the media and other groups are putting on me."
Temporary replacements
Caspers joined the club in 1997 and was in charge when Köln were previously relegated in 1998 and 2002. The club will now be led by the two vice-chairmen, Dr Bernd Steegmann and Dr Klaus Dieter Leister, until a general meeting at the club in June.
Overath ready
Former Köln favourite Wolfgang Overath - a 1974 FIFA World Cup winner with the Federal Republic of Germany - is the favourite to succeed Caspers as president. Currently an adviser to the board, Overath has made it clear that he wants take over at the helm of the club with whom he spent his entire playing career.
