Franz Beckenbauer was nicknamed Der Kaiser (“The Emperor”) because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name “Franz” (reminiscent of the Austrian emperors), and his dominance on the football pitch. He is generally regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time and one of the greatest and most decorated footballers in the history of the game. Beckenbauer was a versatile player who started out as a midfielder but made his name as a defender. He is often credited as having invented the role of the modern sweeper or libero.
Twice selected the European Footballer of the Year, Beckenbauer appeared 103 times for West Germany and played in three World Cups. He is one of only two footballers, along with Brazil’s Mário Zagallo, to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach. He is the only one to win it as captain and coach: He lifted the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. He is also one of only two players, along with Brazil’s Djalma Santos, to make three FIFA World Cup All-star teams (1966, 1970, 1974). With the club Bayern Munich, he won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967 and three consecutiveEuropean Cups from 1974 to 1976. The latter feat made him the only player to win three European Cups as captain of his club. He went on to become coach and later president of Bayern Munich. He is also a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
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 currently works as a pundit for Sky Germany and is a columnist for mass tabloid Bild.
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