German chaos after Daum's drugs test

England may have found a stop-gap solution to their managerial problems, but in Germany, the hunt is on for a new coach following the sacking of Christoph Daum after his positive drugs test.

England may have found a stop-gap solution to their managerial problems, but in Germany, the hunt is on for a new coach following the sacking of Christoph Daum after his positive drugs test.

Bayer Leverkusen have ruled out the present caretaker national coach, Rudi Völler, carrying on beyond May because of his responsibilities to them. Völler, appointed interim coach after Germany went out after the first-round stage at Euro 2000 and parted company with trainer Erich Ribbeck, was due to hand the job on to Daum at the end of the season.

Daum also resigned as Leverkusen coach and had left the country, the club's commercial manager Reiner Calmund said yesterday, adding that Völler would not be available for the Germany job.

"Rudi Völler has a contract with Leverkusen running to 2003 and he will end his work for the DFB on 31 May 2001." Calmund said. "Bayer extended a helping hand following Euro 2000 in many areas and got beaten up for it. No one can expect that from us again. The DFB has enough time to look for another trainer."

Following rumours about his personal life, Daum agreed to be tested for four substances, among them cocaine and cannabis. Calmund said that he had urged Daum beforehand not to take the drugs test.

"Everyone urged him not to do it," Calmund said. "Even Uli Hoeness and Franz Beckenbauer [of Bayern Munich] left messages with him to urge him against doing it. He just couldn't be stopped and he was convinced of his innocence.

"We are working to prevent him from having a complete breakdown," Calmund said. "That's why we sent him abroad immediately. "