Positive despite 29th chemo
Christoph Daum talks about Kroos, Bayer and cancer
March 13, 2024, 8:31 p.m
Christoph Daum, who is suffering from lung cancer, has now completed his 29th round of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, he remains positive. In an interview with RTL and ntv, the ex-Bundesliga coach explains why he wouldn’t have nominated Toni Kroos for the home European Championship and what sets Bayer Leverkusen apart at the moment.
Long-time Bundesliga coach Christoph Daum criticizes the decision to bring Toni Kroos back to the German national football team for the home European Championships. “The quality of Toni Kroos is undisputed,” said Daum in an interview with RTL and ntv. However, he “wouldn’t have made this decision like that”. Kroos didn’t come back “to fight for a place, but he’s basically guaranteed a regular place in the game. And that’s always a little, almost dangerous, for the cohesion in the team.”
At the end of February, Kroos declared his comeback for the European Championships in the summer. The 34-year-old had previously played 106 international matches for the DFB team. He became world champion in Brazil in 2014 and resigned after the 2021 European Championship. In the upcoming test matches against France and the Netherlands (March 23rd and 26th) Real Madrid’s midfield strategist is likely to be in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad.
“Toni Kroos is the most successful German football player, what he has won and also how he acts as a person is outstanding,” explained Daum. However, the 70-year-old also pointed out: “Who dares to say: ‘I don’t want Kroos in a national team’? Yes, I still wouldn’t invite him.”
Praise for Bayer and Alonso
Meanwhile, Daum, who was coach of Bayer Leverkusen from 1996 to 2000, believes his former club will win its first German championship. “Everyone there is doing an excellent job, the players present themselves as an intact team with a really excellent team spirit and the team around the team is also working very, very well at the moment,” he said. “I also don’t think that a defeat like that, which will inevitably come at some point in the three competitions, will throw you off track in any way.”
Bayer, who are still unbeaten, are currently on their way to winning the Bundesliga title for the first time. The lead over FC Bayern is currently ten points, with nine games still to play. In the DFB Cup they are in the semi-finals against second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf. In the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, the second leg against Qarabag FK is on Thursday after the 2-2 draw in Azerbaijan (9 p.m./RTL, RTL+ and in the ntv.de live ticker).
The Werkself, which is coached by coach Xabi Alonso, has a very good and intact team structure, “where everyone knows: ‘It depends on me, I can be used at any time if a player is unavailable and I will then give my best performance'” said Daum. That is a strength. “No matter who they play against, Leverkusen always stick to their style of play.”
Now the 29th chemotherapy
Daum, who was suffering from lung cancer, also spoke about the status of his treatment. “It’s a fight, it’s not a walk in the park and you have to go through it and you also have shitty days. But then the sun shines again. The end!” He has now completed his 29th round of chemotherapy, which is intended to keep the cancer at bay.
“We can’t get rid of these tumors at the moment, science hasn’t gotten that far yet.” But research is developing every day, and he wants to encourage everyone: “Stick with it, follow through with the therapies and if you’re feeling bad, accept psychological help, help and support! It’s no longer the case that cancer is a death sentence today have to be.”
Health cannot be taken for granted, he explained when asked about his motivation. It’s “just like it used to be in my job. It wasn’t just about being healthy, but about reaching the highest level in the areas of athletics, technology or tactics.”
“Like a new world religion”
His family and grandchildren also played an important role. These “shining faces” contributed “to making you go through these valleys of tears in order to then defy these things, this cancer,” said Daum. “If I sit back now and do nothing, then he will win. And I won’t let that happen.”
He is lucky enough to have a really great wife, a really great family and great friends. “And I would say that cancer plays almost no role. We have completely different issues. And then I get distracted and just see how worth living life is,” he continued.
Nevertheless, Daum is “realist enough” not to expect to become cancer-free again. “Otherwise you would perhaps bend down a bit and slump down a bit the next time you take a picture of your lungs, when (…) the cancer has grown a bit again. So I’m not equipped with these expectations.” He is in the best hands. “But children, to hear a statement like that: You are cancer-free. It’s like a new world religion being founded, you don’t think that’s possible.”