Franz Beckenbauer, the legendary German footballer and manager, has died at 78. He captained West Germany to a World Cup in 1974 and managed them to victory in 1990. Known for his innovative playing style, he won numerous titles with Bayern Munich and is one of only three people to win the World Cup as both a player and coach. Later, he faced FIFA penalties related to corruption inquiries.

Franz Beckenbauer, an iconic figure in German football, passed away at 78 years old, as reported by the German news agency DPA. He led Germany to World Cup glory as a player in 1974 and again as a manager in 1990, cementing his legacy in the sport.

Beckenbauer was renowned for his elegant playstyle, dominating the pitch for West Germany and Bayern Munich during the 1960s and 1970s. He significantly contributed to the evolution of the central defensive sweeper role, displaying remarkable composure and skill in mid-field.

Throughout his career, Beckenbauer earned 103 caps for West Germany, securing the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup on home turf in 1974 after previously losing to England in 1966. His Bayern Munich squad achieved remarkable success in the mid-1970s, winning three consecutive European Cups and Bundesliga titles, while Beckenbauer was twice honored as European Footballer of the Year.

As West Germany’s national team manager, he experienced a World Cup final defeat to Argentina in 1986 but achieved victory four years later in Italy with a unified German team. Beckenbauer, known as “Der Kaiser”, became one of only three individuals to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

After stepping down from coaching, Beckenbauer transitioned into football administration. However, in 2016, he faced penalties from FIFA’s ethics committee for not cooperating with its investigation into corruption related to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Original Source: www.france24.com