(LaPresse) Germany says goodbye to the Kaiser of German and world football. Franz Beckenbauer is died at the age of 78. He was considered one of the greatest defenders ever. Beckenbauer was born in 1945 in Munich, in Germany devastated by the post-war period and grew up in his hometown team, Bayern. He made his debut as a midfielder and then played as a libero, interpreting it in a modern way. His rides forward from the defense are legendary. With the Bayern shirt between 1968 and 1976 he won 4 Bundesliga games, 3 European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup. He won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1972 and 1976. He also won the German championship with the Hamburg shirt in ’81-82. Beckenbauer as captain of Germany played in the legendary semi-final won by Italy 4-3 in Mexico, won the European Championships in 1972 and lifted the World Cup in his Munich team in 1974 in the final won against Cruyff’s Holland. He was coach of the national team from 1984 to 1990 and also won the World Cup as coach at Italia ’90. His Germany captained by Matthaus beat Maradona’s Argentina in the final in Rome. He also coaches his Bayern, winning a championship in 93-94 and a UEFA Cup in 96. At the end of his career he held various management roles in the Bavarian club up to that of honorary president. He was vice-president of the German Football Federation and head of the organizing committee of the 2006 World Cup. He also held the role of vice-president of FIFA. (LaPresse)
January 9, 2024 – Updated January 9, 2024, 4:47 pm
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