Der Kaiser — German footballer and manager who won the World Cup both as player (1974) and manager (1990), and defined the libero role.
Franz Anton Beckenbauer was born in Munich in 1945 and joined Bayern Munich's youth academy at 14, spending his entire major career at the club (1964–1977, 1979–1982). He earned 103 West Germany caps scoring 14 goals and captained his country to the 1974 World Cup on home soil — one of only three men to win the World Cup as both captain and manager (also 1990 as manager). He won 3 consecutive European Cups (1974–76) and 4 Bundesliga titles. A spell at New York Cosmos (1977–1980) with Pelé produced 4 NASL Championships. Hamburger SV (1980–82) closed his career. He scored 109 career goals and 198 assists in 756 appearances — extraordinary for a defender. His top speed of 30.4 km/h and 11.5 km per game reflected his extraordinary athleticism. He invented the modern sweeper role — the libero — conducting play from deep. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1972 and 1976. He managed West Germany to the 1986 World Cup final and won in 1990 — making him the only man to win as both player and manager. He was named German Football Player of the Century in 2004. He died in January 2024 aged 78.
FIFA World Cup 1974 (captain)
Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup 1974 (captain)
- European Cup 1974, 1975, 1976 (Bayern)
- Bundesliga 4x
- European Championship 1972
- Ballon d'Or 1972, 1976
- NASL Championship 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980