Franz Beckenbauer

Born in Munich is a German football instructor, manager, and ex- player, nicknamed Dear Kaiser (“The royal leader”) because of his graceful style, his headship, his first name “Franz” (suggestive of the Austrian emperors), and his supremacy on the football pitch. He is generally regarded as the best German footballer of all time and one of the greatest and most adorned footballers in the history of the game. Beckenbauer was a multitalented player who started out as a midfielder but set his name as a defender. He is often credited as having made-up the role of the modern sweeper

Two times selected the European Footballer of the Year; he emerged 103 times for West Germany and participated in three World Cups. He raised the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeats the achievement as a manager in 1990. With the club Bayern Munich, he be the victor three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976, and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967. Beckenbauer is the single player to captain three European Cup winning sides. He went to become coach and president of the institution. He is also a part of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

In 1999, he was voted second place, behind Johan Cruyff, in the European player of the Century election held by the IFFHS and he was voted third, behind Pelé and Cruyff, in the IFFHS’ “World Player of the Century” election. Today, Beckenbauer remains an influential figure in both German and international football. He led Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup and chaired the organizing committee. He also works as a pundit for German television network Sat.1 during their coverage of the UEFA Champions League and writes a football column for mass tabloid Bild.

Franz Beckenbauer