The 78-year-old Franz Beckenbauer, who led his nation to the 1974 World Cup championship on home soil, helped modernize football and became a symbol of Germany’s post-war athletic achievements.
For many years, Germany’s on-field achievements were closely linked to “Der Kaiser,” a moniker bestowed upon him due to his dominant style of play and mastery of the game. He was a coach before becoming a player.
As a player, he won every major award throughout his illustrious career. After moving to the manager’s bench, he maintained his incredible track record of achievement.
Two years after winning the European championship, Beckenbauer led West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup, earning him 103 caps overall.
He led Bayern Munich to three straight European Cup wins from 1974 to 1976. In addition, he won eight domestic trophies, including four league crowns and four cup victories, the World Club Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
He won the title of football player of the year twice in Europe and set a record four times in West Germany.
Considered by many to be the greatest European soccer player of all time, he is recognized for having developed and defining the modern libero position.
Beckenbauer was a master defensive lineman who was always composed under duress and had a keen sense of when to break free upfield.
Perfect long raking passes to his attackers were sprayed by the leisurely sweeper, who never appeared to break a sweat.
Being one of just three persons to have won world championships as both a player and coach, he experienced success as a coach when guiding the Germans to the 1990 World Cup triumph in Italy.
Although he led the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup held in his own country, his image suffered in the wake of an inquiry into a possible slush fund for the competition and a payment of 6.7 million euros ($7.34 million) to FIFA, the organization that oversees international football, in 2005.
Having battled many health problems in recent years, Beckenbauer mostly retreated from public life and denied any misconduct.
Son of a postal worker and former insurance sales trainee, Beckenbauer was born in Munich on September 11, 1945, and he started playing for Bayern’s junior teams in 1959.
He made it into the first team, and with Beckenbauer leading from midfield, Bayern emerged as the most potent brand in German football and shot to worldwide fame from the backwaters of West German regional league soccer.
Beckenbauer received his first cap shortly after becoming 20 years old, against Sweden in a World Cup qualification. He went on to play a regular role for the country for almost ten years.
After putting up standout performances in three World Cups, Beckenbauer signed a multimillion dollar contract in 1977 to play for the New York Cosmos across the Atlantic.
After spending three prosperous years in the United States, he shocked everyone by returning to West Germany and joining Hamburg SV, Bayern’s northern rivals.
After retiring, Beckenbauer had a luxurious life at his house in the Austrian ski town of Kitzbuehel, where he played golf often.
Despite his lack of managing experience, he managed to stay in the public spotlight by writing a regular column in the widely read Bild newspaper in West Germany. Eventually, he took over as Germany coach.
Beckenbauer instilled discipline throughout the team and was immediately respected.
He led West Germany to the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico, where they were defeated 3-2 by Diego Maradona’s Argentina, less than two years after taking charge.
But they defeated Argentina in a replay four years later to win the trophy, giving Beckenbauer a unique World Cup double as a player and coach and furthering his legend.