Franz Beckenbauer dies aged 78 as tributes paid to Germany legend and World Cup icon

The family of Franz Beckenbauer has confirmed that the German football legend has died at the age of 78

Franz Beckenbauer won the World Cup(ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Germany footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78.

The icon Bavarian centre-back, who won the World Cup as both a player in 1974 and manager in 1990, died peacefully in the presence of his loved ones.

His family said in a statement to the DPA news agency: “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. We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”

Beckenbauer enjoyed a long and successful career in football after coming through the ranks of his boyhood club Bayern Munich’s youth system in 1964.

He represented the Bavarian outfit for 13 years, winning countless trophies including two Ballons d’Or and four titles. He was also named Footballer of the Year on four occasions.

But the Bavarian defender is best known for his exploits with his national team and is fondly remembered for his part in helping West Germany win the 1974 World Cup.

Beckenbauer enjoyed two brief spells in New York with the Cosmos following his time as a Bayern player, either side of two years at Hamburg, where he won a German title.

Franz Beckenbauer with his son Joel in 2019(Getty Images) Franz Beckenbauer alongside Uli Hoeness(PA)

He later returned from playing and became a manager, taking charge of West Germany in his first job, where he won the World Cup in 1990.

From there, the former centre-back had a spell as sporting director at French club Marseille before finally returning home to manage Bayern Munich, where he won nine titles including one Champions League.

Beckenbauer has enjoyed time out of the limelight in recent times but fell ill last year and was too unwell to fly to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Franz Beckenbauer at a ceremony at Bayern Munich in 2018(AFP via Getty Images)

He told German publication Bild at the time “I had a so-called infarction in one eye. Unfortunately, I can’t see anything on the right. I can handle that. And I have to be careful with my heart.

“But I will not travel to Qatar. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for our team in front of the TV. People probably think he never lives long. But I’ll try to stay with you for a while.”

Gary Lineker was among the first to pay tribute to the footballing great. In a tweet, the BBC Match of the Day host said: “Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.”

Franz Beckenbauer representing West Germany in the World Cup final against the Netherlands(Mirrorpix)

Stan Collymore added: “World Cup winner as player and manager. 3 consecutive European Cup wins, 2 Ballon d’Or wins, and FIFA 100 Greatest Players of All Time. World Team of the 20th Century. World Football Greatest XI of All Time. Legend doesn’t start to describe him. Rest in peace, Kaiser.”

The Premier League also paid tribute, with a tweet on the official account reading: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football’s greatest ever players A World Cup winner as both player and manager, ‘Der Kaiser’ was as elegant as he was dominant He will forever be remembered.”

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