Katja Burkard: An emotional farewell to Christoph Daum

Former football coach Christoph Daum (1953-2024) died at the end of August at the age of 70 from the effects of cancer. On September 12, numerous fans, friends and his family said goodbye at the Cologne stadium as part of a memorial service under the motto “Mach et joot, Christoph”.

According to media reports, more than 5,000 people attended the memorial service – including celebrities such as Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (58), DFB President Bernd Neuendorf (63) and football greats such as Reiner Calmund (75), Rudi Völler (64), Thomas Häßler (58) and Pierre Littbarski (64). “I lost three people at once: my favorite coach, an extraordinary person and my friend Christoph,” said Littbarski.

“All that was missing was his stupid comment”

The television presenter Katja Burkard (59), who is a friend of the family, gave a particularly moving speech on behalf of Daum’s wife Angelica Camm-Daum and the children of the former Bundesliga coach and indicated that Daum was buried on Wednesday.

“Last night, you said goodbye to Christoph in a small group at the funeral,” said Burkard. His wife said that it was “wonderfully quiet.” Daum’s presence was felt: “But you also said: ‘All that was missing was that stupid saying from him.'” They laughed a lot about it and knew that he would be “very happy about the event, but it would also amuse him and anyone who knows him knows the smile he would have standing here watching it. That’s just how he was.”

“So many people loved him, so many admired him, respected him,” Burkard continued. “He was a role model for many. And of course, many people had something to argue about with him.” Because of the way he dealt with his illness, “a lot of people” saw Daum “in a completely different light and paid him a completely different level of respect.” Burkard’s speech can be seen again.