German Football Federation President to quit in early 2012
Theo Zwanziger said Sunday he plans to step down as president of the German Football Federation (DFB) as early as spring 2012.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: December 18, 2011 05:17 PM IST
Theo Zwanziger said Sunday he plans to step down as president of the German Football Federation (DFB) as early as spring 2012.
At the start of the month, the 66-year German boss had announced he planned to step down sometime next year, with his current term expiring in 2013, but according to the latest reports here, he has moved his plans forward.
DFB General Secretary Wolfgang Niersbach, 61, is tipped to replace him, having officially received support from Zwanziger, and the sitting president says he is ready to go sooner.
"I think a date in late February or early March is realistic," Zwanziger told German daily Die Welt in an interview due to appear in Monday's paper.
"I would have no problem quitting tomorrow."
Zwanziger has been in charge of the DFB since 2004 with Germany among the favourites to win Euro 2012, to be hosted by Poland and the Ukraine next June.
With 6.7 million members, the DFB is one of the largest sports associations in the world.
Zwanziger says he wants to stay on FIFA's executive committee until 2015, having been elected to replace compatriot Franz Beckenbauer in this year's elections.