Franz Beckenbauer, one of history's greatest footballers and an absolute legend with Bayern Munich and the West German national team, died on January 8 at the age of 78, following a long illness.
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Alongside Brazil's Mario Zagallo (who died on January 5) and France's Didier Deschamps, the Kaiser belonged to the exclusive club of World Cup winners as player and coach - in 1974 on the pitch, and in 1990 on the bench. From his career as a footballer to his leadership role at the highest levels of the game, Franz Beckenbauer leaves an immense legacy behind him.
In addition to his style of play, which revolutionized the way the defender's position was conceived, and his stratospheric list of honors - two Ballon d'Ors (1972 and 1976), a World Cup (1974), a European Nations Championship (1972), three Club Champions Cups (1974, 1975, 1976) and a host of other titles - the Kaiser also had 5 children and married 3 wives (Brigitte, Sybille, Heidi).
Stephan Beckenbauer, a tragic destiny
The best-known of these is Stephan, who, like his father, embarked on a football career. Trained as a defender with Bayern Munich, he didn't enjoy the same fame or talent. In his 11-year playing career (1986 - 1997), the Kaiser's son played just 12 games in the 1. Bundesliga, Germany's elite championship, with FC Saarbrücken.
At the age of 29, a knee injury forced him to end his career prematurely. A year later, in 1998, he became a youth coach at Bayern Munich, at a time when his father was the club's president. He held this position until his death from a brain tumor in 2015, at the age of 46.
He leaves behind his son Luca, 23, who is also a footballer and currently plays for MTV München.
Who are Franz Beckenbauer's other children?
In addition to Stephan, the Kaiser also had 4 other children - Thomas, Michael, Joel Maximilian and Francesca Antonie. In their tribute to the most iconic player in their history, Bayern Munich were keen to include them in their grief:
The world of FC Bayern is not what it used to be: suddenly darker, quieter, poorer. The club mourns the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, the one and only Kaiser, without whom FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today.
Beckenbauer died yesterday, Sunday, at the age of 78, surrounded by his family in Salzburg. FC Bayern mourns alongside his family, friends and companions, including his wife Heidi and children Thomas, Michael, Joel Maximilian and Francesca Antonie."
This article was translated from Gentside FR
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