The year 2024 began with shocking news in world football: the former great German defender Franz Beckenbauer died at the age of 78.

Franz BeckenbauerPhoto: IMAGO / imago sportfotodienst / Profimedia

Gary Lineker, Thomas Müller and Xabi Alonso, post after post on the death of Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer went down in history as one of the best defenders in football.

The two-time winner of the “Golden Ball”, a former outstanding player of the German national team, died on Monday, January 8, at the age of 78.

Immediately after hearing the news, current and former footballers reacted and each had a message for the one nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’.

“One of the best football players in the history of Bayern Munich has left us. Rest in peace, Kaiser Franz. We will never forget what you did for football in Germany.” – leaked Thomas Muller, a player of Bayern Munich.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Franz Beckenbauer,” said former England striker Gary Lineker: “One of the greatest players in our sport. Der Kaiser was the most handsome of footballers, winning everything with grace and charm. RIP”. – Gary Lineker

“Rest in peace, Kaiser!” – Xabi Alonso wrote.

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.