Franz Beckenbauer, the German football legend who is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, has passed away at the age of 78.
Beckenbauer was an iconic figure in the world of football, having captained West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup and led them to another triumph as a manager in 1990.
Throughout his career, he played 582 times for Bayern Munich and won the German top-flight title both as a player and a manager. Known as ‘Der Kaiser’, Beckenbauer was primarily a defender, but he was also an exceptional midfielder and played as a sweeper. As a player, he won several prestigious awards, including the Ballon d’Or twice and the European Championship in 1972.
Beckenbauer died peacefully in his sleep, according to a statement released by his family to German news agency DPA. The statement read, “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family. We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”
Beckenbauer was an integral part of Bayern Munich’s success, having won four league titles and being the captain for the club’s three European Cup wins in 1974, 1975, and 1976. He also won the Bundesliga with Hamburg in 1982. Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s honorary president, and a former team-mate described him as the “greatest personality the club has ever had.” He added, “As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable. Nobody will ever reach him. People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer’s time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion – and a gift to all of us.”
Beckenbauer’s contributions to German football cannot be overstated. He played 103 times for West Germany and is one of only three men to have lifted the World Cup as both a player and a manager, along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and France’s Didier Deschamps. After retiring from professional football, he went on to manage Marseille briefly in 1990 and then had two stints in charge of Bayern. He also moved into football administration after leaving the role in 1996.
Beckenbauer became Bayern’s president, took over as vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB) in 1998, and led the German committee that won the right to host the 2006 World Cup. Despite being investigated over suspected corruption linked to the tournament, Beckenbauer’s legacy as “one of football’s all-time greats is beyond dispute,” according to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. “His unparalleled versatility, graceful transitions between defence and midfield, impeccable ball control, and visionary style reshaped the way football was played in his era,” he said. Beckenbauer’s impact on the world of football will be remembered forever, and his loss is mourned by football fans all over the world.
