Germany united to mourn the death of Franz Beckenbauer on Jan 8, with figures from the sporting and political landscape bidding farewell to the “Kaiser”.
Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as both a player and a coach, died on Jan 7 at the age of 78, with news of his death not announced until a day later in the evening.
He had largely withdrawn from public life as he battled a number of ailments. His family said the former midfielder died “peacefully” surrounded by his family in Salzburg, Austria.
Known as “Der Kaiser”, emperor in German, Beckenbauer was revered as an icon of the game in post-World War II Germany.
“We’ll miss him, Franz Beckenbauer was one of the greatest footballers in Germany,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, adding that he “inspired enthusiasm for German football for generations”.
Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Lothar Matthaus echoed the Chancellor’s words, telling Bild “we will miss him”. Matthaus was West Germany’s captain when Beckenbauer coached the victorious 1990 World Cup team.
“His death is a loss for football and for all of Germany. He was one of the greats as a player and a coach, but also off the pitch,” he added. “Everyone who knew him knew what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend has left us.”
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 10, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin January 10, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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