German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, has died at the age of 78, his family have announced.
Beckenbauer is one of just three men – along with Brazil#’s Mario Zagallo, who died last week, and France’s Didier Deschamps – to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager, after captaining West Germany to glory in 1974 and repeating the feat as coach in 1990.
He also twice won the Ballon d’Or, in 1972 and 1976, earned over 100 caps for his country and is generally credited with creating the role of the modern sweeper.
“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,” the family said in a statement. “We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”
At club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976, as well as a European Cup Winners’ Cup. The former feat made him the first player to win three European Cups as captain of his club and he would later hold the role of both manager and club president at Bayern.
More to follow…
