Germany and Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer died on Sunday at the age of 78.
The German press agency, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, reported that Beckenbauer’s family had informed them of his death on social media on Monday.
Beckenbauer, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, won four Bundesliga titles and three successive European Cups during a 14-year spell with Bayern.
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He sits fifth on the club’s all-time appearance list, having played 582 competitive games for the Bavarian giants, who he also managed between 1993 and 1994 before returning for a second stint in 1996.
Beckenbauer – who was nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’ during his glittering playing career after revolutionising the role of ball-playing defender – also served as Bayern’s club president from 1994 to 2009.
The Deutsche Fussball Liga – which operates the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga – paid tribute to Beckenbauer on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: “We mourn the loss of an outstanding legend of world football.
“Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer.”
Wir trauern um eine herausragende Legende des Weltfußballs.
Ruhe in Frieden, Franz Beckenbauer. pic.twitter.com/sqTAlqoxWu
— DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga (@DFL_Official) January 8, 2024
Beckenbauer is one of just three men, along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and France’s Didier Deschamps, to have won the FIFA World Cup as a player and as a manager, captaining West Germany to glory in 1974 before overseeing their 1990 success from the dugout.
Beckenbauer won 103 caps for West Germany between 1965 and 1977, scoring 14 goals including four at his first World Cup in 1966, when they were beaten 4-2 by England in the final.
His first major international success came six years later at Euro 1972 as he captained his country to a 3-0 final win over the Soviet Union in Brussels, also wearing the armband as Johan Cruyff’s legendary ‘Total Football’ Netherlands side were beaten 2-1 in the 1974 World Cup showpiece.
Beckenbauer was also one of several global stars to move to the North American Soccer League in the late 1970s, teaming up with Brazil great Pele at the New York Cosmos, who the German helped to three domestic titles.
His first coaching role came when he was appointed West Germany boss in 1984, later leading them to glory at Italia 1990 in the team’s final World Cup before the country’s reunification.
Franz Beckenbauer, one of European football’s greatest sons, has passed away aged 78.
“Der Kaiser” was an extraordinary player, successful coach and popular pundit who shaped German football like no other. pic.twitter.com/rW12ArNnNh
— UEFA (@UEFA) January 8, 2024
