Football legend Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78. The world mourns the loss of one of the industry’s greatest and says goodbye to the ‘Kaiser’. DFB director Rudi Völler, who coached him as team manager when he won the 1990 World Cup, said: “I am incredibly sad, the news of his death affects me enormously.”
He added: ‘I consider it one of the great privileges of my life to have known and experienced Franz Beckenbauer. Our time together with the national team was culminated in the 1990 World Cup title in Rome, a title that would never have been possible without his outstanding coaching achievements. The ‘Kaiser’ was a source of inspiration for more than one generation; he will forever remain the shining light of German football. With Franz Beckenbauer, German football loses its greatest personality, I lose a good friend.”
Former clubs also participate. Just like Hamburger SV, for whom Beckenbauer played from 1980 to 1982. The HSV wrote on the
1. For example, FC Kaiserslautern found similar words about a black and white photo of Beckenbauer: “With Franz Beckenbauer, one of the greatest German football players of all time has left us. Rest in peace, Emperor!” In addition to other clubs, Bayern star Thomas Müller also reported.
“Wonderful and generous person”
He wrote on X: “One of the greatest football players in the history of FC Bayern has unfortunately left us. Rest in peace, Emperor Franz. We will never forget what you did for football in Germany.’
Lothar Matthäus, who became world champion under Beckenbauer in 1990, also told the newspaper ‘Bild’: ‘His death is a loss for football and for the whole of Germany. He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the field. Franz was not only an outstanding personality in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition. Anyone who knew him knows what a wonderful and generous person Franz was. A good friend has left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him!”
Wolfgang Overath, world champion in 1974, said: “That hurts me. It’s unthinkable that he’s gone. Not only was he the best we had and ever will have in football in Germany, but he was also a nice guy. He towered over everyone, he was so tall and yet so down to earth. For my birthday three months ago, he called me with all the strength he had left.”
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf described the death of Franz Beckenbauer as a “real turning point”. “We look back on his life’s work with respect and great gratitude. With him we lose a unique footballer and a wonderful person,” he said.
Watzke about Beckenbauer: “I had goosebumps all over my body”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann also noted: “When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up; he rightly deserved the title of ‘shining figure of German football’. To the end, an aura surrounded him that even the health problems and fortunes he faced could not shake off. I am grateful and proud that I had the opportunity to meet him and will remember him with great pleasure.”
BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke also mourns the death of the “Kaiser”: “Franz Beckenbauer was absolutely the greatest German footballer of all time and also one of the greatest people I have ever met. Every experience I had personally with Franz was wonderful.”
Then Watzke gives an example: “I still remember having goosebumps all over my body when he offered me the first name after our German championship in 2010/2011. You can really only bow to what Franz Beckenbauer has achieved for Germany and German football.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also mourns Beckenbauer’s death: “World champion as a player and coach: Franz Beckenbauer was one of Germany’s greatest footballers and for many ‘the emperor’ – also because he inspired generations of enthusiasm for German football. We will miss him. My thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Used sources:
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
