The lament of those who love football and its history, the history of sport in general, is unanimous, since the legend of Franz Beckenbauer, who died this Monday at the age of 78, is linked to all these elements. The Kaiser has been a football legend and a sports legend, a character free from whims and egos, more efficient than artificial, pure German efficiency.
“He was a world champion as a player and coach, for many he was the Kaiser also because he created enthusiasm for German football in many generations,” said Olaf Scholz, German chancellor, in history of FC Bayern. Rest in peace, Kaiser Franz”, Thomas Müller, world champion in 2014, has published on the same social network.
“The universe of FC Bayern is no longer what it used to be: it is suddenly darker, quieter, poorer: the German champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the only emperor, without whom FC Bayern would never “It would have become the club it is today. Rest in peace,” lamented Bayern Munich, his usual club.
“I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer has rewritten the history of German football and left a lasting mark on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all these roles not only was successful, but unique. As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people, because everyone was equal in front of Franz. German football has lost the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him very much. Thank you for everything, dear Franz!”, wrote Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who was general director of FC Bayern (until 2021) and former Kaiser teammate.
“I am very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has passed away. One of the absolute greats of football. The Kaiser was the most beautiful footballer who won everything with grace and charm,” wrote Gary Lineker, brilliant English striker, now a television commentator.
Another former British footballer like goalkeeper Peter Shilton has joined the lament. “It is very sad to find out that Beckenbauer is gone. He was a fantastic footballer with world-class status.”
“One of the greatest sons of European football has left (…) an extraordinary player, a successful coach and a person who shaped German football like no other,” UEFA wrote. “His unparalleled versatility, his elegant transitions between defense and midfield, his impeccable ball control and his visionary style reshaped the way football was played in his time,” added the club’s president, Aleksander. Ceferin.
Dozens of entities and clubs have come out to remember Beckenbauer, who was a renaissance footballer: player, coach and senior manager. He has done it for the Bundesliga (“the Bundesliga family is devastated; a true icon is gone, then, now and forever”) or Borussia Dortmund (“the Kaiser will be remembered forever”).
