Known by the nicknames “The Emperor” and “The Kaiser” in football, Franz Beckenbauer not only excelled as a player and manager but also left a solid footprint on the beautiful game.
Born in 1945, just after World War II, Beckenbauer’s journey from a talented young player to a legendary icon is truly inspiring.
His dynamic long runs from central defense, a novelty at the time, became his signature style. With a mix of elegance and a touch of arrogance, Beckenbauer asserted his dominance on the field with every strategic move.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest figures in the history of football.
He holds the unique record of being the only defender to win the Ballon d’Or twice and is credited with innovating the modern sweeper or libero role—a defensive player actively involved in the team’s offensive game.
Beckenbauer, a two-time European Footballer of the Year, was honored on the World Team of the 20th Century in 1998 and the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2002.
An esteemed figure in Germany, Beckenbauer is one of just three individuals, alongside Mário Zagallo and Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager.
In 2019, when Beckenbauer praised Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, Klopp expressed his profound gratitude, likening the experience to receiving knighthood from a king.
This emphasizes the deep respect and admiration that Beckenbauer continues to command in the football world.
Franz Beckenbauer’s Career
He started his professional journey with Bayern Munich, making his debut in a Bundesliga promotion play-off match against FC St.
Pauli on June 6, 1964, played on the left wing. In his first season in the Regionalliga Süd (the second level in Germany at that time), 1964–65, Bayern won the league and gained promotion to the Bundesliga.
Bayern quickly became a formidable force, securing the German Cup in 1966–67 and achieving European success in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967. Beckenbauer assumed the role of team captain in the 1968–69 season and led Bayern to their first league title.
Around this time, he started experimenting with the sweeper (libero) role, refining it into a new form and becoming a leading exponent of the attacking sweeper game.
During Beckenbauer’s time at Bayern Munich, the club achieved significant success, winning three consecutive league championships from 1972 to 1974 and a hat-trick of European Cup titles from 1974 to 1976, earning the club the honor of permanently keeping the trophy.
From 1968, he was affectionately called “der Kaiser” (‘the Emperor’) by fans and the media.
The nickname supposedly originated during a friendly game in Vienna when Beckenbauer posed next to a bust of the former Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I.
However, another anecdote suggests that the moniker was coined in a cup final in 1969 when, after fouling his opponent, he skillfully balanced the ball in front of the upset fans.
In 1977, he signed a lucrative contract to play in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the New York Cosmos, sharing the field with Pelé in his debut season.
Over four seasons until 1980, the Cosmos, led by Beckenbauer, won the Soccer Bowl three times (1977, 1978, 1980).
Beckenbauer finished his playing career after a two-year stint with Hamburger SV in Germany (1980–82), winning the Bundesliga title in his final year. He then had one last season with the New York Cosmos in 1983 before retiring from professional football.
On the international scene, Beckenbauer earned 103 caps and scored 14 goals while representing West Germany.
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His debut for the national team took place in a World Cup qualification match against Sweden in Stockholm on September 26, 1965, resulting in a 2–1 victory for West Germany.
He netted his first goals for the national team in a match against the Netherlands on March 23, 1966, at De Kuip in Rotterdam, where he scored twice in a 4–2 victory.
Beckenbauer played a big role in multiple World Cup campaigns.
He was part of the squads that finished as runners-up in 1966, secured third place in 1970, and triumphed as champions in 1974.
He earned a place in the tournament all-star team for each of these editions. He also won the 1972 European Football Championship and reached the final in the 1976 edition.
Beckenbauer’s international career began on September 26, 1965. In 1973, he surpassed Uwe Seeler’s record of 72 matches, becoming the most-capped player for the German national team at that time.
However, his record was later surpassed by Lothar Matthäus in 1993.
Emperor Franz
Renowned for his smooth and uniquely elegant style, combined with intelligent tactics, Beckenbauer garnered widespread admiration and respect from fellow players, coaches, and managers.
An exceptionally versatile, intelligent, and graceful footballer, he participated in three World Cup finals and earned the distinguished title of “der Kaiser” or “Emperor Franz.”
Beckenbauer’s impact extended beyond personal achievements; he achieved international fame by innovating the modern position of the attacking sweeper, also known as the “libero.”
This pivotal player initiates offensive plays from central defense through powerful long runs and deft passes.
In 1971, he assumed the role of captain for the West Germany team, guiding them to triumphs in the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer’s legacy is not just in his brilliance but also in his transformative contributions to the tactical aspects of the game.
Franz Beckenbauer’s Managerial Role
Upon his return to Germany in 1984, Franz Beckenbauer assumed the role of manager for the West Germany national team, succeeding Jupp Derwall.
Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the 1986 World Cup but lost to Argentina led by Diego Maradona.
In 1990, before the reunification of Germany, Beckenbauer managed the national team in the World Cup, winning the final 1–0 against Argentina in a rematch of the previous World Cup final.
This made him one of three men, along with Mario Zagallo and Didier Deschamps, to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager.
He is also the first and one of only two (with Didier Deschamps) to have won the title as team captain and as a manager.
Beckenbauer then transitioned to club management, taking a position at Olympique de Marseille in 1990, although he left midway through his first season.
Despite his departure, Marseille went on to win the 1990–91 French championship and were runners-up in the 1990–91 European Cup under the management of his successor, Raymond Goethals.
From December 28, 1993, to June 30, 1994, and then from April 29, 1996, to June 30 of the same year, Beckenbauer managed Bayern Munich.
During his brief spells in charge, he secured two additional honors for the team – the Bundesliga title in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996.
In 1994, Beckenbauer assumed the role of club president at Bayern Munich, and his astute management is often credited for the club’s success in the subsequent years. He later became vice-president of the German Football Association in 1998.
Beckenbauer played a crucial role in securing the bid for Germany to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup, chairing the organizational committee and serving as a commentator for Bild-Zeitung.
In 2009, he stepped down as president of Bayern Munich, succeeded by Uli Hoeneß.
Beyond The Pitch
Franz Beckenbauer had three marriages and five children.
One of his sons, Stephan, pursued a career in professional football but tragically passed away from a brain tumor on July 31, 2015, at the age of 46.
Stephan’s son, Luca, carries on the football legacy and is also a professional player, currently with SV Wacker Burghausen in the Regionalliga Bayern.
In a humorous incident, after featuring in an advertisement for a mobile phone company, Beckenbauer specifically requested the number 0176 / 666666 for his mobile phone.
However, the number’s resemblance to the German word for “sex” led to amusing misunderstandings, with Beckenbauer receiving calls from men who believed it was a phone sex number.
Beckenbauer took on the role of honorary consul of Kosovo in 2011, actively supporting Kosovo’s efforts to gain membership in UEFA and FIFA.
In terms of health, Beckenbauer underwent cardiac surgery in 2016 and 2017.
Also, he received an artificial hip in 2018, highlighting his resilience and commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle.
Franz Beckenbauer’s Death
Beckenbauer passed away on January 7, 2024, at the age of 78, due to natural causes, according to his family’s announcement to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
The journey of Beckenbauer is a reminder that true legends are not just defined by their victories but also by the principles they stand for.
His commitment to excellence, innovation, and authenticity has made a lasting impact on football, serving as a continuous source of inspiration for players, managers, and fans across generations.
As we pay homage to the lasting legacy of Franz Beckenbauer, let us not only celebrate his remarkable achievements but also embrace and uphold the cherished values he held dear—values of creativity, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
In doing so, we honor not just a football icon, but a beacon whose light will continue to guide the beautiful game for years to come.
