German football icon Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany’s most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm, has died, news agency dpa reported .
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family,” the family said in a statement to dpa, the German news agency. “We ask that we be allowed to grieve in peace and be spared any questions.”
The statement did not provide a cause of death. The former Bayern Munich great had struggled with health problems in recent years.
Beckenbauer was one of German soccer’s central figures. As a player, he reimagined the defender’s role in soccer and captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974 after it had lost to England in the 1966 final.
He was the coach when West Germany won the tournament again in 1990, a symbolic moment for a country in the midst of reunification, months after the Berlin Wall fell.
Beckenbauer’s death comes just two days after the announcement that Mario Zagallo, the Brazilian who became the first person to win the World Cup as a player and coach, had died at the age of 92.
As soon as news of Beckenbauer’s demise came tributes poured in on X
A @FIFAWorldCup winner as both a player and coach.
Remembering the great Franz Beckenbauer — a legend of our game ❤️
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 8, 2024
Gary Lineker Former England Striker
Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 8, 2024
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football’s greatest ever players
A World Cup winner as both player and manager, ‘Der Kaiser’ was as elegant as he was dominant
He will forever be remembered pic.twitter.com/dJDF4eAuod
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 8, 2024
Didier Deschamps: “It is with huge sadness that I learned of the death of Franz Beckenbauer, just a few days after that of Mario Zagallo. It was a huge honor for me to join them both in 2018 among those who won the World Cup as a player and then as coach. My pain, today, is equal… pic.twitter.com/dCiBIHLYVn
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 8, 2024
Franz Beckenbauer, one of European football’s greatest sons, has passed away aged 78.
“Der Kaiser” was an extraordinary player, successful coach and popular pundit who shaped German football like no other. pic.twitter.com/rW12ArNnNh
— UEFA (@UEFA) January 8, 2024
