Zwanziger in frame to succeed Beckenbauer

German Football Federation (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger on Friday put his name forward as a candidate to succeed Franz Beckenbauer on FIFA’s executive committee.

The 65-year-old Beckenbauer is standing down as he wants to spend more time with his family.

In a statement Zwanziger, also 65, declared: “Our declared objective must be that our interests will be defended at the heart of the most important committee in world football. That’s why I will be a candidate.”

Zwanziger, who was reelected as DFB chief for a third term of office last month, has informed FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini of his intention to stand in the election which will be held at UEFA’s 35th Congress in Paris on May 22.

The successful candidate can come from any of the European nations and will hold a seat on the FIFA committee as UEFA’s representative.

A qualified lawyer Zwanziger is a former amateur footballer, moving into club management when his playing days finished. He is a former head of the German regional league, becoming president of the DFB for the first time in 2004.