Quite extraordinary developments today in the matter of coach Hermann Eppenhoff’s sacking in the aftermath of the game against Inter Milan. Following an intervention by Eppenhoff’s lawyer, the entire board resigned en masse declaring that all posts on the board were up for election. The reason? A clear infringement of protocol at the board elections of 27/1/1964. The theory being that that infringement meant that president Kurt Schoienherr was never really elected and so the sacking of Eppenhoff was not in his thrall. The feted coach will take training again tomorrow. On 29/5/1964 an extraordinary general meeting will be held at the great hall at Hoechst AG to hold new elections to the board. That will bring to an end a drama the like of which German football has never seen.

The apparent reason for Eppenhoff’s sacking after the Inter game had been unflattering comments by the coach towards members of the board. Eppenhoff is a much loved figure in Dortmund, the team having won the championship under him in 1963. Great victories in Europe against the likes of Lyn Oslo, Benfica and Dukla Prague followed while the one-time Schalke man has the total respect of the dressing room. That he had issues with certain members of the board had been rumoured for some time along the corridors of the club.