German football legend Franz Beckenbauer dies aged 78
(VOVWORLD) - Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, one of soccer's greatest players who captained his country to World Cup glory in 1974 and won the tournament again as manager in 1990, has died at the age of 78, his family said in a statement yesterday.
 Germany's Franz Beckenbauer (Photo: DPA) |
Beckenbauer bestrode the sport as player, coach, pundit and administrator for more than half a century and was widely admired globally. He earned 103 caps for West Germany, winning the 1972 European Championship and then the World Cup on home soil two years' later.
The statement did not provide a cause of death. The former Bayern Munich great, who became affectionately known as the “Kaiser” - or “Emperor” - had struggled with health problems in recent years.