Follow usFranz Beckenbauer, who triumphed with the World Cup as both footballer and manager and was regarded as 1 of the greatest players of all time, has died at the age of 78.
“It is with deep sadness that we share that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, as all his close family members were present,” his family shared.
RIP, Franz Beckenbauer ❤️
The German football legend has passed away aged 78.
He won the World Cup as West Germany’s captain in 1974 and as a manager in 1990. pic.twitter.com/C68BvDyjdw
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 8, 2024
Franz, born in Munich, had incredible influence in Germany as a footballer, manager, and official. His contribution to Bayern Munich and the German national football team earned him the nickname “Der Kaiser,” meaning “The Emperor.”
Pelé shared that Beckenbauer was 1 of the greatest he ever saw play.
Beckenbauer triumphed with the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d’Or trophies and was announced Germany’s Footballer of the Century in 2000. Franz also got the FIFA Centennial Player and Football Personality Trophy in 2004.
With Bayern Munich and Hamburger, he triumphed with 3 European Cups, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, 5 Bundesliga trophies, and 4 German cups.
Franz Beckenbauer was raised in the post-war ruins of Munich supporting 1860 Munich.
After an 1860 forward slapped him in an under-14 game though, Beckenbauer joined Bayern instead.
He went on to transform Bayern from the second best team in Munich to the best in all of Europe. pic.twitter.com/wvkaVk3Oa4
— Alfie | HITC Sevens (@HITCSevens) January 8, 2024
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