(Reuters) – Franz Beckenbauer, who has died at the age of 78, helped modernise soccer and came to personify Germany’s post-war sporting success, captaining his country to the 1974 World Cup title on home soil to anchor his legacy.
‘Der Kaiser’, as he was nicknamed for his imperious playing style and command of the game, was for decades synonymous with Germany’s success on the pitch, as player and then coach.
He amassed every major honour in his glittering playing career and continued his extraordinary record of success after switching to the manager’s bench.
Beckenbauer won 103 caps and captained West Germany to World Cup success in 1974, two years after lifting the European title.
At club level he steered Bayern Munich to three successive European Cup victories from 1974 to 1976 and won the World Club Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and eight domestic trophies — four league titles and four cup triumphs.
He was West Germany’s footballer of the year a record four times and twice European footballer of the year.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and by many as the best European, as a player he invented and defined the modern libero role.
Always calm under pressure and a skilful marshal of his defence, Beckenbauer could read the game so astutely he knew exactly the right moment to surge upfield.
The unhurried sweeper never seemed to break sweat as he sprayed perfect long raking passes to his strikers.
He enjoyed success as a coach while leading the Germans to the 1990 World Cup title in Italy, one of only three men to have won world titles as both player and coach.
But despite heading the 2006 World Cup on home soil as organising chief, his reputation was tarnished in recent years following an investigation into a potential slush fund for that tournament and a 6.7 million euros ($7.34 million) payment to world soccer’s governing body FIFA in 2005.
Beckenbauer, who had been battling several health issues in recent years, denied any wrongdoing and largely withdrew from the public eye.
Born in Munich on Sept. 11 1945, Beckenbauer, a postal official’s son who once trained to be an insurance salesman, joined Bayern’s youth teams in 1959.
He progressed to the first team and, with Beckenbauer orchestrating from midfield, Bayern rocketed to international prominence from the obscurity of West German regional league soccer to establish the most powerful brand in German football.
Shortly after his 20th birthday Beckenbauer was capped for the first time in a World Cup qualifier against Sweden and became a fixture in the national team for more than a decade.
Beckenbauer produced notable performances in three World Cups before moving across the Atlantic to New York Cosmos in a multi-million-dollar deal in 1977.
He stayed in the United States for three lucrative years before returning to West Germany in a shock that which took him to Bayern’s northern rivals Hamburg SV.
Beckenbauer retired to a comfortable life at his home in the Austrian ski resort of Kitzbuehel, spending much of his time on the local golf course.
But he kept in the public eye with a regular column in West Germany’s mass-circulation Bild newspaper and eventually took over as Germany coach despite his lack of managerial experience.
Beckenbauer brought discipline to the squad and commanded instant respect.
Less than two years after taking over, he guided West Germany to the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico where they lost 3-2 to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
However, they won the title four years later in rematch against the Argentines to give Beckenbauer a rare World Cup double as player and then coach and enhance his legacy.
Franz Beckenbauer
Following are reactions to his death:
GIANNI INFANTINO, FIFA PRESIDENT
“A legend of German and world football, Franz Beckenbauer has achievements and triumphs which are etched in history and yet, for all his popularity, ‘Der Kaiser’ always remained modest and down to earth…
A great neighbour to me during many UEFA Executive Committee meetings, he willingly shared so much of his knowledge of football. A really great person, a friend of football, a champion and a true legend, dear Franz will never be forgotten.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
“World Cup winner as player and coach: Franz Beckenbauer was one of the greatest footballers in Germany and for many ‘der Kaiser’ also because of the excitement for German Football he created for generations. We will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
KARL-HEINZ RUMMENIGGE, LONG-TIME CEO OF BAYERN MUNICH
“I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impact on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique.
As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people – because everyone was equal before Franz. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, dear Franz!”
HERBERT HAINER, BAYERN PRESIDENT
“There are no words to express how deep the sorrow is and so how great the gap left by Franz Beckenbauer. As a player he brought lightness, elegance and magic. Franz Beckenbauer brought glamour.
Even after his active career he left his mark on FC Bayern and football and his legacy cannot be measured by just titles. The family of FC Bayern is forever thankful and I personally grieve the loss of a friend.”
ALEKSANDER CEFERIN, UEFA PRESIDENT
“The football world mourns the loss of the legendary Kaiser. His unparalleled versatility, graceful transitions between defence and midfield, impeccable ball control, and visionary style reshaped the way football was played in his era.
His leadership qualities shone through as he captained both the national team and Bayern Munich during their most successful periods and continued to shine bright in his coaching career. Beckenbauer’s legacy as one of football’s all-time greats is beyond dispute. Farewell to a true legend.”
GERMAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (DFB)
“The German Football Association (DFB) mourns the loss of Franz Beckenbauer. The honorary captain of the national team died last Sunday at the age of 78.
Franz Beckenbauer influenced soccer in Germany like no other. Alongside the Brazilian Mario Zagallo and the Frenchman Didier Deschamps, Beckenbauer is one of three people to have won the World Cup as a player (1974) and as a coach (1990).”
BERND NEUENDORF, GERMAN FA PRESIDENT
“The death of Franz Beckenbauer marks a turning point. With deep respect and gratitude we view his life’s work. With his passing we are losing a unique player and a kind man. Der Kaiser was one of the best players the sport has ever seen.”
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
“The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser.”
LOTHAR MATTHAEUS, EX-GERMANY CAPTAIN AND 1990 WORLD CUP WINNER
“The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn’t 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 pitch. 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”
DIDIER DESCHAMPS, FRANCE COACH
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. His death comes just a few days after that of Mario Zagallo. It was an immense honour for me to join them both in 2018 among those who had won the World Cup as a player and then as a coach. My sorrow today is as great as my joy at being invited to sit at the table with these two giants of international football …
Franz Beckenbauer was an extremely respected figure, who embodied the high standards of the very best. To his family and friends, and to all those who, like me, admired him, I offer my full support at this sad and painful time.”
THOMAS BACH, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) PRESIDENT
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. He was a sporting legend far beyond football. For me personally, he was a close and loyal friend for more than four decades, someone you could always rely on.”
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
“Borussia Dortmund mourns the loss of a great German footballer. Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. ‘The Kaiser’ will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his family and all his loved ones.”
MANCHESTER UNITED
United posted a photograph of Beckenbauer with England great Bobby Charlton on social media platform X and said: “Rivals on the pitch. Eternal respect off it. Now, together at rest.
Sending heartfelt condolences to our counterparts at Bayern Munich as we mourn the loss of a true great, Franz Beckenbauer”
REAL MADRID
“Real Madrid C. F., the club’s President and its Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of the biggest legends of European and world football.
Real Madrid would like to send its condolences and expresses its affection to his family, his teammates, his clubs and all his loved ones.”
BARCELONA
“FC Barcelona offers its condolences for the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, legend of world football who has left us today at the age of 78. Rest in peace.”
INTER MILAN
“He embodied class and fair play and will remain a legend of world football: the Club and the entire Nerazzurri universe join in mourning the passing of Franz Beckenbauer”
GARY LINEKER, FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER
“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.”