Uncertain future for German football Association

The German football association is facing an uncertain future after the turmoil caused by the resignation of president Reinhard Grindel.

The 57-year-old was under increasing pressure following allegations of undeclared earnings, the receipt of a luxury watch and discontent with his leadership.

In this file photo taken on October 8, 2017 Reinhard Grindel, President of the German Football Association (DFB, Deutscher Fussball Bund), is pictured prior to the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Germany and Azerbaijan in Kaiserslautern, western Germany. [Photo: AFP/Christof Stache]

Important issues such as a fundamental structure reform lie ahead until the successor of the former politician is due to be elected at a general assembly on September 12.

Former German internationals such as Christoph Metzelder (FC Schalke 04), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund) and several politicians and highly profiled industrial representatives are mentioned as possible candidates aside of league CEO Christian Seifert (Deutsche Fussball Liga/DFL).

The fact that the association has to replace its third president within seven years is a reason to speak about a fundamental crisis in German football.

The association vice presidents Rainer Koch and Reinhard Rauball take over on an interim basis as they did when Wolfgang Niersbach, stepped down in November 2015 amid the fallout from allegations that Germany's bid to host the World Cup in 2006 had been helped by bribery. Niersbach's predecessor, Theo Zwanziger, stepped down in 2012.

Five presidents in 13 years don't speak for consistency.

Several former professionals such as the 150 times capped Lothar Matthaeus demanded from the association to undertake substantial modernizing measures. "The association has been on shaky ground before," the former Bayern Munich captain complained.

For decades the 7-million-member-strong association suffered from the tensions between the representatives of professional football and the amateur football part. "We have to get these parts together," Koch commented adding a solution has to be found keeping both sides happy.

The associations' current structure seems out of time as has been run by a president in honorary office only provided with an expense allowance.

To change to a full-time CEO and a controlling board is said to be the main topic aside of a candidate casting for the president's post. "We have to make quick decisions, but first of all we need to fix and update our structures to face future challenges," Koch emphasized.

In advance of the elections in September, the association will have to decide on its opinion regarding a further term of FIFA president Gianni Infantino who is supposed to be confirmed in duty on June 5.

Recently the association kicked off its new academy project worth 150 million euros in Frankfurt. The academy is expected to be opened in 2021, three years in advance of the country hosting the 2024 European Championships.