Beckenbauer prepared to consider bid for top UEFA job

Franz Beckenbauer is prepared to throw his hat into the ring in the race to become the next UEFA president if he gets support from the German federation and leaders within European soccer's governing body.

"First of all it has to be seen if Mr (Lennart) Johansson is really going to retire," Beckenbauer told yesterday's Bild newspaper.

"Then if I have support from the DFB (German FA) and UEFA, I'd be ready to seriously consider the job."

Beckenbauer, who led West Germany to World Cup victory as captain in 1974 and coach in 1990, has long been dropping vague hints that he would be interested in succeeding UEFA president Lennart Johansson after he retires, as scheduled, in 2006.

But two days after former France captain and manager Michel Platini announced his candidacy for UEFA's top job, Beckenbauer has raised his voice a notch as the race hots up.

Bild said the DFB would move quickly in response to Platini's announcement and formally name Beckenbauer as their candidate today.

The DFB has strongly backed the charismatic Beckenbauer, 59, who also led Germany's winning bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

But until now Beckenbauer has only said he was "honoured" to be among those mentioned as candidates. German media have reported he wants the job but does not want to campaign for it.

Beckenbauer's name has also been mentioned as a possible successor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter but he has emphatically and repeatedly ruled out having any designs on that job.

Theo Zwanziger, the DFB's co-president, is increasing the pressure on Beckenbauer to announce his candidacy. He said no one else in Germany, including himself or DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, has the international stature of Beckenbauer.

Tactical games

"We have to stop playing tactical games and instead state clearly what we want," Zwanziger said yesterday.

"I want Germany to be represented in international organisations."

"And against Platini we can't send Mayer-Vorfelder, or Zwanziger or anyone else," Zwanziger added. "There is only one Beckenbauer. He has to be convinced."

Zwanziger said the candidacy of Platini, 49, was forcing the issue. He said it was "irritating" that Platini had announced his candidacy at this point.

"It's all very early," Zwanziger said. "But everyone has their tactical reasons. I didn't want things to happen as they have. But that's the way it is. Germany's not going to step aside and I hope that Beckenbauer won't either."

Johansson, a Swede, has held office for 14 years and will be 76 by the time he completes his fourth term in the spring of 2006. He has said he will not seek re-election for another term.