Daum quits Beskitas

Christoph Daum cited disagreements over player transfers as a reason for his resignation as Besiktas JK coach on Monday but was given some good news when his trial for alleged drug abuse was dropped.

UEFA Cup place
Daum resigned after his side missed out on next season's UEFA Champions League at the weekend. Their 1-0 defeat at Gaziantepspor on Saturday meant a third-place finish in the Turkish first division, forcing them to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup rather than the premier competition, from which they have been absent for two years running.

Disagreements with board
The former Bayer 04 Leverkusen coach admitted he had not seen eye to eye with the Besiktas board over player transfers. "I proposed to the board of directors five or six players as possible signings," Daum said. "They rejected all of them. I did not have a role in bringing in any of the foreigners who came to this club."

Sale too hasty
Daum added that the sale of Turkish international forward Nihat Kahveci to Spanish club Real Sociedad was too hasty. Kahveci is expected to figure prominently for Turkey in the FIFA World Cup finals in Korea/Japan.

'My second country'
However, Daum acknowledged he had enjoyed good support during his time at the club. "Even if the fans are not happy with the overall result, I thank everyone for the support they have shown," the German coach said. "For me, leaving my second country, Turkey, and Besiktas, will not be an easy task."

Drug trial dropped
On a brighter note for Daum, his trial into alleged drug use in Germany was dropped after both sides reached an agreement. The court case, which has ensured Daum was absent from Istanbul for long periods this season, ended after Daum agreed to pay a fine, prosecutors said.

Seven-month ordeal

No criminal record