German football federation president Wolfgang Niersbach wants a successor to outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter to be named much sooner than currently planned.
Niersbach said Wednesday in Berlin, "When I hear that a special FIFA congress won't take place until spring next year, then my initial reaction is to say, that's extremely problematic. I would clearly recommended speeding up the process."
He said Michael van Praag of the Netherlands was an ideal candidate to replace Blatter.
Niersbach ruled himself out running for the position: "My priority is quite clear, German football. I don't need to change the position."
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere called for structural reforms to be made to FIFA in the wake of Blatter's announced resignation as president of world soccer's governing body.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Blatter stepping down, saying it was "now more possible that FIFA's work could be conducted on a more transparent basis."
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Merkel told reporters that as a football fan herself, "this is an important message."
Blatter announced his resignation on Tuesday amid the corruption scandal that has rocked world football's governing body.
Speaking at a news conference in Zurich, Blatter said he would remain in his position until a special election can be held to appoint his successor.
Domenico Scala, the chairman of FIFA's Audit and Compliance Committee, said an election would be held sometime between December 2015 and March 2016, during which time FIFA will vet candidates.
Blatter was just re-elected to a fifth term as president at the FIFA Congress on Friday, two days after a crisis erupted and seven officials were arrested in Zurich as part of a United States Justice Department corruption investigation. Blatter was not among the 14 officials indicted but ABC News reported on Tuesday he was a target of the probe.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said he sees "no reason'' why he should resign amid claims he helped authorise $10 million in bribes for World Cup bidding votes.
FIFA defended its second-in command Valcke on Tuesday, following a New York Times report that American law enforcement officials believe he transferred the money in 2008 to accounts controlled by Jack Warner, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president who faces corruption charges in the U.S.
Speaking on France Info radio station on Wednesday, Valcke said "I'm beyond reproach and I don't feel guilty" adding that "I don't have the power to authorise a payment, especially a payment of $10 million.''
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.