Franz Beckenbauer

Born: 1945

Soccer Player

Franz Anton Beckenbauer was born in Munich, Bavaria. He is Germany’s best-known soccer player and coach of all times. Beckenbauer is also known as „Der Kaiser“ (The Emperor) because of his elegant style, leadership qualities, his first name and his dominance on the soccer pitch. He won the World Cup as player and coach.

Beckenbauer’s career is closely related to Germany’s most famous soccer club, Bayern Muenchen. He joined the club in 1958 and made his first-team debut in 1963. As captain he helped the club win three European Champions Clubs' Cups (1973–74, 1974–75, and 1975–76) and four national titles. In 1971 he was appointed captain of West Germany's national team, leading it to the 1972 European championship and the 1974 World Cup championship. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1972 and 1976. Beckenbauer then played with the New York Cosmos (1977–80, 1983–84) and Hamburg (1980–82) before retiring in 1984. He played 103 times for his country. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, he came in second in the European player of the Century election (behind the Dutch Johan Cruijff).

After his time as a player Beckenbauer coached the West German National Team and led the team to win the World Cup in Italy 1990. After he resigned as national manager, Beckenbauer became president and coach of Bayern Muenchen. As a sports official, Beckenbauer dedicated himself to organizing the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany as chair of the 2006 World Cup Committee.

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