FRANZ BECKENBAUER died at the age of 78.
The German is considered one of the best players of all time.
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Franz Beckenbauer has passed away Credit: Getty
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Beckenbauer won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. Credit: Getty – Contributor
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He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever Credit: AP: Associated Press
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He was the manager of West Germany when they won the World Cup in 1990. Credit: Getty
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Beckenbauer was an integral part of Germany when they won the host competition in 2006. Credit: EPA
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The legend passed away surrounded by his familyCredit: Getty
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Beckenbauer with his wife Heidi, son Joel and daughter Francesca Credit: Getty
His family confirmed that he died in his sleep surrounded by his loved ones.
Their emotional statement reads: “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 may grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”
Tributes quickly poured in, with one voice saying, “We will miss you, Kaiser. A legend forever. Rest in peace.”
While another wrote: “Greatest defender of all time. RIP.”
A third commented: “I am absolutely speechless, rest in peace Kaiser.”
And another added: “RIP the legend. Kudos to his family.”
The Sun’s Piers Morgan tweeted: “RIP Franz Beckenbauer. A sublime defender, a great manager, a magnificent ambassador for the game.”
Comedian and football enthusiast David Baddiel added: “The great Beckenbauer has gone now, so soon after Bobby Charlton. Bobby got the job to shut him up in the 1966 World Cup final. Perhaps this is a very profound example of man-to-man marking.”
Gary Lineker wrote: “So sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful footballer who won everyone over with grace and charm. RIP.”
Beckenbauer’s brilliant career
By Etienne Fermie
Franz Beckenbauer began his legendary career at parent club Bayern Munich after catching their eye at just 14 years old.
The defender made his debut for Bayern at the age of 18 in 1964.
He would go on to play over 500 times for the Bundesliga giants, winning everything there was to win in the game.
After amassing four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup, the man nicknamed “Der Kaiser” left Bayern after 18 years and moved stateside to the New York Cosmos in 1977.
Beckenbauer starred alongside Pele and Carlos Alberto in the Big Apple, winning the North American Soccer League three times before returning to Germany in 1980, adding another Bundesliga title with Hamburg.
In addition to his sensational club career, Der Kaiser played for his country, playing 103 times for West Germany and scoring 14 goals.
He captained West Germany in 1972 and then led them to Euro glory before winning the World Cup two years later.
Beckenbauer also enjoyed great success as a manager, leading his country to further World Cup glory in Italy 1990, Marseille to Ligue 1 success in 1991 and Bayern to Bundesliga and UEFA Cup trophies between 1993 and 1996.
Beckenbauer played 103 games for the former West Germany, and also appeared in three World Cups.
In 1966 he and the late Sir Bobby Charlton were given the tasks of marking each other by their respective managers – as standout players from both sides.
Beckenbauer later captained the West German team that won the 1974 World Cup when they defeated the Netherlands.
Incredibly, he missed the 1978 World Cup as West Germany decided not to select players who had gone abroad.
He repeated his 1974 feat as coach, when he led his country to World Cup glory in 1990.
Beckenbauer – nicknamed Der Kaiser or The Emperor – is one of only three men, alongside Brazilian Mario Zagall and Frenchman Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager.
As a player, he won the Bundesliga four times with Bayern Munich.
His glittering career saw him win the European Cup three times with the German club.
On an individual level, he won two Ballon d’Ors in 1972 and 1976 before moving to the New York Cosmos and Hamburg.
Fellow Bayern legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of him: “He was so elegant that he wasn’t really German. He just exuded class and quality.”
As a manager, he was the coach of West Germany and Bayern.
He later became the club’s president and played a key role in Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
Off the field, Beckenbauer was married three times.
The icon first married Brigitte Beckenbauer in 1966 and was with her until 1990.
He then married Sybille in 1990 before they divorced 14 years later.
And Beckenbauer left behind his current wife Heidi, whom he married in 2006.
The football hero had five children with his three wives – four boys and one girl.
In 2019, it was revealed that he was blind in one eye.
He was not well enough to fly to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, saying at the time: “I had a so-called heart attack in one eye. Unfortunately, I can’t see anything in the right.
“I can handle it. And I have to be careful with my heart.
“But I will not travel to Qatar. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for our team in front of the TV.
“People probably think he never lives long. But I’ll try to stay with you a while.”
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Franz Beckenbauer captained Germany against England in the 1974 World Cup Credit: Getty
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He won 14 trophies with Bayern as a playerCredit: Getty
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He was tasked with marking Johan Cruyff and Bobby Charlton in his careerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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Beckenbauer, who has been married three times, poses with his wife Heidi and son Joel Credit: Getty
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