THE world is mourning the sad death of World Cup winner and Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer.
Beckenbauer was twice named European Footballer of the Year and appeared 103 times for West Germany.
The Bayern Munich legend has also lifted a European Cup Winners’ Cup and his death has sent shock waves around the sporting world.
Stay up to date with all the tributes…
‘Absolute great’ – Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker has paid tribute to the legend’s ‘grace and charm’.
Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 8, 2024
A superstar – on and off the field
Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976, and retired from playing in 1984 following a spell with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.
Despite no coaching experience, he was appointed West Germany manager that year and led his country to the final of the 1986 World Cup and then to the trophy itself at Italia 90.
There followed a brief spell in charge of Marseille in France before Beckenbauer returned to Bayern, leading the club to the Bundesliga title in 1994 and the Uefa Cup two years later. Beckenbauer also had spells as president at Bayern and vice-president of the German Football Association.
From one legend to another
Sir Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer on X, calling him a ‘true legend’ of the game.
It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser pic.twitter.com/32p8T2rEkI— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) January 8, 2024
How Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s
Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s after endorsing the brand.
Although adidas still enjoys huge celebrity football endorsements in the modern game such as the likes of Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos and Lionel Messi, it was really Beckenbauer that brought the three stripes and football connection into fruition.
Franz Beckenbauer: a football poet, gracefully weaving his artistry into the romantic fabric of the beautiful game.
𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲, 𝗥𝘂𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻, 𝗗𝗲𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿. pic.twitter.com/LE02O4hVpy— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) January 8, 2024
‘Outstanding personality’
Lothar Matthäus, who was Beckenbauer’s captain in 1990 and a close friend, told German newspaper Bild: “The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t feeling well. His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole.
“He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was an outstanding personality – not only in football – and he enjoyed worldwide recognition.
“Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend has left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him.”
Piers Morgan pays tribute to football legend
RIP Frank Beckenbauer, 78. German football legend who was one of only three men to win the World Cup both as player and coach. Sublime defender, great manager, magnificent ambassador for the game. pic.twitter.com/OqP9v6CA3d— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2024
Everything you need to know (3)
In addition to his sensational club career, Der Kaiser starred for his country, playing 103 times for West Germany and scoring 14 goals.
He became West Germany captain in 1972, and subsequently skippered them to Euros glory that year before lifting the World Cup two years later.
Beckenbauer also enjoyed great success as a manager, guiding his country to further World Cup glory at Italia 1990, Marseille to Ligue 1 success in 1991 and Bayern to Bundesliga and Uefa Cup trophies between 1993 and 1996.
Everything you need to know (2)
Having stacked up four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup, the man dubbed “Der Kaiser” left Bayern after 18 years to move Stateside with New York Cosmos.
Beckenbauer starred alongside the likes of Pele and Carlos Alberto in the Big Apple, winning the North American Soccer League three times before returning to Germany in 1980, subsequently adding yet another Bundesliga title with Hamburg.
Franz Beckenbauer’s glittering career – everything you need to know (1)
Franz Beckenbauer began his legendary career with hometown club Bayern Munich after catching their eye aged just 14.
The defender went on to debut with Bayern at 18 in 1964.
He went on to play over 500 times for the Bundesliga giants, winning everything there was to win in the game.
How Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s
Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s after endorsing the brand.
Although adidas still enjoys huge celebrity football endorsements in the modern game such as the likes of Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos and Lionel Messi, it was really Beckenbauer that brought the three stripes and football connection into fruition.
From one legend to another
Sir Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer on X, calling him a ‘true legend’ of the game.
What made Franz Beckenbauer so special?
Beckenbauer is an icon of German football having won 104 caps for West Germany, captaining them to glory at the 1974 World Cup before repeating the feat, as manager, in Italy 16 years later.
He also won numerous other honours, including a hat-trick of European Cups with Bayern Munich in the mid-70s, when he also established his reputation as a defender of supreme talents.
‘Outstanding personality’
Lothar Matthäus, who was Beckenbauer’s captain in 1990 and a close friend, told German newspaper Bild: “The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t feeling well. His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole.
“He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was an outstanding personality – not only in football – and he enjoyed worldwide recognition.
“Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend has left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him.”
Summary – Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at 78
Football legend Franz Beckenbauer has sadly passed away at the age of 78, his family have confirmed
The Bayern Munich icon is the only man to have both captained and managed World Cup-winning teams.
Beckenbauer is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
He won the highest individual honour in football twice, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976.
Beckenbauer featured at the 1966 World Cup for West Germany against England.
Everything you need to know (3)
In addition to his sensational club career, Der Kaiser starred for his country, playing 103 times for West Germany and scoring 14 goals.
He became West Germany captain in 1972, and subsequently skippered them to Euros glory that year before lifting the World Cup two years later.
Beckenbauer also enjoyed great success as a manager, guiding his country to further World Cup glory at Italia 1990, Marseille to Ligue 1 success in 1991 and Bayern to Bundesliga and Uefa Cup trophies between 1993 and 1996.
Everything you need to know (2)
Having stacked up four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup, the man dubbed “Der Kaiser” left Bayern after 18 years to move Stateside with New York Cosmos.
Beckenbauer starred alongside the likes of Pele and Carlos Alberto in the Big Apple, winning the North American Soccer League three times before returning to Germany in 1980, subsequently adding yet another Bundesliga title with Hamburg.
Franz Beckenbauer’s glittering career – everything you need to know (1)
Franz Beckenbauer began his legendary career with hometown club Bayern Munich after catching their eye aged just 14.
The defender went on to debut with Bayern at 18 in 1964.
He went on to play over 500 times for the Bundesliga giants, winning everything there was to win in the game.
Beckenbauer – the early years
Born in Giesling, a working-class district of Munich, in September 1945, Beckenbauer grew up as a fan of 1860 Munich but joined the youth setup at the then unfashionable Bayern instead.
He was originally a centre-forward and made his debut for the club in 1964, when they were in West Germany’s second tier, as a left winger.
Accusations against Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer’s post-playing life was marred by accusations of wrongdoing, with the then 71-year-old questioned by Swiss prosecutors in March 2017 over suspected corruption linked to the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany.
Beckenbauer headed the initial bid in 2000 and was part of the competition’s organising committee.
A superstar – on and off the field
Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976, and retired from playing in 1984 following a spell with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.
Despite no coaching experience, he was appointed West Germany manager that year and led his country to the final of the 1986 World Cup and then to the trophy itself at Italia 90.
There followed a brief spell in charge of Marseille in France before Beckenbauer returned to Bayern, leading the club to the Bundesliga title in 1994 and the Uefa Cup two years later. Beckenbauer also had spells as president at Bayern and vice-president of the German Football Association.
‘Outstanding personality’
Lothar Matthäus, who was Beckenbauer’s captain in 1990 and a close friend, told German newspaper Bild: “The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t feeling well. His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole.
“He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was an outstanding personality – not only in football – and he enjoyed worldwide recognition.
“Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend has left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him.”
What made Franz Beckenbauer so special?
Beckenbauer is an icon of German football having won 104 caps for West Germany, captaining them to glory at the 1974 World Cup before repeating the feat, as manager, in Italy 16 years later.
He also won numerous other honours, including a hat-trick of European Cups with Bayern Munich in the mid-70s, when he also established his reputation as a defender of supreme talents.
‘Absolute great’ – Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker has paid tribute to the legend’s ‘grace and charm’.
How Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s
Franz Beckenbauer became synonymous with adidas in the 80s after endorsing the brand.
Although adidas still enjoys huge celebrity football endorsements in the modern game such as the likes of Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos and Lionel Messi, it was really Beckenbauer that brought the three stripes and football connection into fruition.
Piers Morgan pays tribute to football legend
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
