Franz Beckenbauer, German World Cup champion as player and coach, dies

grief

Beckenbauer is the greatest idol of German football and is considered one of the main defenders in the history of football

The death of former German defender Franz Beckenbauer was announced this Monday (8). He was champion of the 1974 World Cup, as a player, and 1990, as coach of Germany. Beckenbauer’s family issued a statement published by the German press, without many details. The German idol died in his sleep, on Sunday (7).

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family. We ask that we be able to mourn in silence and refrain from asking any questions”, says the note.

The German ended his career at Cosmos, a team from the United States. There, he played alongside Pelé and other world football legends, such as Carlos Alberto Torres and Eusébio. In the 1977 season, the team was champion of the NASL, the country’s national league.

Career

Beckenbauer is the greatest idol of German football and is considered one of the main defenders in the history of football. The former player was present at the 1966, 1970 and 1974 World Cups, playing on the field. Furthermore, he had a career as a coach for the national team and was on the sidelines as a coach in 1986 and 1990.

Franz joined Zagallo and Didier Deschamps as the only people to win the World Cup as a player and coach. His great achievements earned him the nickname “Der Kaiser”, which in literal translation would be “The Emperor”.

*With information from Lance

Read more:

Zagallo dies aged 92, the legend of world football

Family and fans pay tribute to Zagallo at CBF wake

Dorival Júnior will be the coach of the Brazilian Football Team