German football legend Franz Beckenbauer died on Sunday at the age of 78 after a long period of health problems.

Franz Beckenbauer died at the age of 78

A former central defender who is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Beckenbauer scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for the national team (1965-1977).

He was a world champion as a player (1974) and also as a coach (1990), a feat achieved only by Brazilian Mario Zagallo (died January 6, 2024) and Frenchman Didier Deschamps.

According to Bild, Beckenbauer’s condition has deteriorated since 2015 after the death of his son Stefan. He suffered from Parkinson’s disease, which is related to dementia, had heart problems and suffered an eye attack.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Franz Beckenbauer passed away peacefully yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family. Please cry silently and refrain from asking any questions,” the family of one known as “Der Kaiser” said.

In the new Beckenbauer documentary, Walter (Franz’s brother) stated that “if I said it was good, I would be lying, and I don’t like to lie. I don’t feel well.”

Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Franz Beckenbauer said he could not attend because he could no longer see in his right eye after suffering a heart attack: “I had a so-called heart attack in front of my eyes. . Unfortunately, I can’t see anything with my right eye and I have to guard my heart.”

German newspaper Der Spiegel, who has been completely absent from the media since April due to failing health, sounded the alarm at the end of 2023, claiming that any emotional outburst could put the Kaiser’s clinical condition in “serious danger”, which had “significantly deteriorated” “. , which affects both his judgment and memory, with no prospects for improvement, News.ro writes.

The impressive career of Franz Beckenbauer

A Bayern Munich legend, Beckenbauer also played for Hamburg and the New York Cosmos and won the Ballon d’Or twice in 1972 and 1976.

After his retirement, Kaiser Franz became the coach of the West German national team before ending his six-year spell on the bench following Italy’s 1990 World Cup triumph against Diego Maradona’s Argentina side.

Bernard Tapie entrusted him with the management of Olympique de Marseille, who were looking for their first continental title. His adventure at Marseille lasted just a few months (from 20 September to 31 December 1990) before he was replaced by Raymond Goethals and briefly promoted to the club’s sporting director.

After returning to Bayern Munich, where he managed the first team in 1994 and again in 1996, Franz Beckenbauer established himself as one of the club’s iconic managers.

The president of the supervisory board until 2009, when he was succeeded by Uli Heness, the legendary former central midfielder remained the honorary president of the Munich club until his death, writes News.ro.