Borussia mourns the loss of Franz Beckenbauer

Borussia and the entire football world are mourning the passing of Franz Beckenbauer. “The Kaiser” passed away aged 78 on Sunday.

Franz Beckenbauer is regarded as the biggest German football legend, with hardly anyone having as much of an influence on German football as him. As a player, Beckenbauer was a World and European champion, whilst he led Germany to the title at the 1990 World Cup in Italy as a coach and achieved great success at club level with FC Bayern München. Beckenbauer crossed paths with Borussia over and over again. 

Beckenbauer joined FC Bayern as a youth player and quickly rose through the ranks to become a key player. Among other achievements, he won the German title four times with FCB – with three of those coming in the 1970s, during which Borussia and FC Bayern competed for the title amongst themselves and contested clashes that are legendary till this day. Additionally, Beckenbauer won the European Cup on three occasions. 

Beckenbauer was captain of Germany’s European Championships-winning side in 1972, which included Borussia’s Wolfgang Kleff, Rainer Bonhof, Berti Vogts, Günter Netzer, Herbert Wimmer and Jupp Heynckes. During this period, friendships between rivals at club level blossomed and these relationships lasted until the very end. He crowned his playing career with victory at the home World Cup in 1974, which he likewise achieved with lots of Borussia players. He gave the libero role a new meaning with his elegance and grace, whilst he played for the New York Cosmos towards the end of his career, playing alongside Pelé in a legendary team. He also played for Hamburger SV during his career.

He was announced as the Germany national team head coach following their exit in the group stages at the 1984 European Championships, leading the national team to the World Cup final against Argentina in 1986 (3-2 loss). He secured revenge against Diego Maradona’s team four years later when Germany won the World Cup in Rome. Beckenbauer resigned from his role following this triumph, whilst he returned to FC Bayern as a coach in the middle of the 1990s. Later, the home World Cup in 2006, which was referred to as the summer fairy tale, was Beckenbauer’s showpiece as an official – it was simultaneously difficult for him personally. 

“The first thing that I associate with Franz is always when we won the home World Cup together in 1974. At the very least, I’m indebted to him since his influence was a key reason why I was able to experience a moment like that,” said Gladbach’s vice-president, Rainer Bonhof. “But it’s not just me. In my opinion, Germany as a whole owes the Kaiser a lot when it comes to football. The things he did for the sport on and off the pitch will never be recreated and we can’t thank him enough for it. I’ll remember him as a friend and as a great character. My thoughts are with his family. Farewell, Franz.”