Franz Beckenbauer passes away

The world of football is mourning the loss of one of its most famous figures, after the death of Franz Beckenbauer at the age of 78 was announced.

Revered by football fans all across the world, the German was the first person to win the World Cup as a captain, and then as a manager.

A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.

"We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."

Playing career in Germany and the USA

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, and a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Beckenbauer won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich. He also won four domestic cups, one Intercontinental Cup and four European trophies - including three consecutive European Cups, now known as the UEFA Champions League, in 1974, 1975 and 1976.

In 1977, Beckenbauer left West Germany for the United States. He spent four years in the North American Soccer League with New York Cosmos, where he won three more league titles. Along with Pele and Johan Cruyff, Beckenbauer is credited as helping to pique American interest in football.

Beckenbauer returned to West Germany in the summer of 1980. In two years with Hamburg he won another Bundesliga title, before returning to New York Cosmos. He called time on his playing career in 1983, having won 18 major honours that spanned more than 750 first team appearances.

Captain of the West Germany national team

Beckenbauer’s international career as a player was also one of sustained success. He appeared 103 times for the West German national team between 1965 and 1977, scoring 14 goals.

Nicknamed "The Kaiser", he first rose to wider prominence as a 20-year-old at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, where West Germany lost 4-2 to the hosts in the final. After assuming the captaincy, he went on to lead West Germany to glory in the 1972 UEFA European Championships, before lifting the World Cup on home soil two years later.

Beckenbauer's coaching career

One year after his playing career ended, Beckenbauer embarked on his first coaching role - accepting a contract to manage the West Germany national team in 1984. Two years later, at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, West Germany finished as runners-up to Argentina under his leadership.

Four years later, at Italia ‘90, West Germany triumphed in a repeat of the 1986 final, defeating Argentina 1-0 and in doing so, Beckenbauer became the first person to win the World Cup as both a captain and manager.

His later managerial career featured a spell in charge of Marseille, who he guided to the Ligue 1 title in 1991, and two spells as manager of Bayern Munich, which produced another league title in 1994.

The final trophy of a glittering career in football came with Bayern in the 1996 UEFA Cup Final. It was a triumph that meant Beckenbauer had won all three major UEFA club competitions, following his successes in the Cup Winners’ Cup and European Cup during his playing days.

Beckenbauer's honours

2x FIFA World Cup
2x Ballon d'Or
1x UEFA European Championship
6x Bundesliga
3x European Cup (Champions League)
1x Cup Winners' Cup
1x UEFA Cup
4x German Cup
1x Intercontinental Cup
1x Ligue 1
3x North America Soccer League

Beckenbauer’s involvement with Bayern continued well into his 70s. He was an integral figure in the Bavarians’ rise over the second part of the 20th century, from amateur club to its position as one of the biggest in the world.

Our thoughts and condolences go to Beckenbauer's family and friends.