German Legend Franz Beckenbauer dies at 78

Franz Beckenbauer captained the German team to the World Cup title in 1974, coached the team to the 1990 title and was also instrumental in bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany’s most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm, has died at the age of 78.

Beckenbauer was one of German football’s central figures. As a player, he reimagined the defender’s role in football and captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974 after it had lost to England in the 1966 final. He was the coach when West Germany won the tournament again in 1990, a symbolic moment for a country in the midst of reunification, months after the Berlin Wall fell.

At club level, Beckenbauer is considered a Bayern Munich legend having won three successive European Cups with the German giants from 1974-76 along with four Bundesliga titles. He played 582 times for Bayern.

Beckenbauer also managed Bayern to Bundesliga glory in 1994 and a UEFA Cup triumph in 1996. Beckenbauer also won an array of personal honours, including two Ballon d’Or awards in 1972 and 1976 as a defender – a rarity at the time and still to this day.

A family statement read:

“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.”

Story by: George Opoku Boateng. gopokuboateng@gmail.com. Ahotor Fm. X-Prekese GH