Germany is losing one of its greatest football legends: Franz Beckenbauer (1945-2024) is dead. His family confirmed this to the dpa. The Emperor, as he was often called, died yesterday, Sunday, January 7, 2024. Beckenbauer was 78 years old.
“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,” the relatives said in a statement. “We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.” Franz Beckenbauer recently largely withdrew from the public eye.
Franz Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945 in Munich and played 396 Bundesliga games for FC Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 1970s. He became a superstar and, after his time at Bayern, went to the New York Cosmos, where he played alongside the legendary Pelé (1940-2022), among others. He appeared on the pitch 103 times for the German national team.
Franz Beckenbauer won numerous titles over the years. During his time as a professional player, he became German champion four times with FCB – and later again with Hamburger SV. However, his greatest successes included winning the 1974 World Cup as captain of the DFB team, winning the 1972 European Championships and winning the World Cup as coach at the 1990 World Cup.
As a coach, he also became German champion and UEFA Cup winner with FCB. Between 1994 and 2009 he was president of the association, later honorary president.
