The Evolution of Soccer: Franz Beckenbauer's Sweeper Role and the Rise of Glamour in Bayern and Germany
Revolutionary football legend Franz Beckenbauer, who achieved the remarkable feat of winning the World Cup as both player and coach, has sadly passed away at 78 A true German icon, he brought glamor and glory to Bayern and Germany, redefining the role of a sweeper on the pitch while enjoying success beyond it
Legendary soccer player Franz Beckenbauer, who made history by winning the World Cup as both a player and a coach, has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by the German football federation (DFB).
Known as "Der Kaiser" (The Emperor), Beckenbauer is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He was the recipient of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 1972 and 1976, making him the only defender to win it twice. Additionally, he is credited with revolutionizing the soccer sweeper position.
According to England legend Bobby Charlton, Franz was an outstanding ball distributor, a skilled tackler, always composed, and never panicked, as quoted in FourFourTwo magazine in 2007. In addition to leading West Germany to World Cup victories, Beckenbauer also captained his team to success at the 1972 European Championships.
Beckenbauer achieved five Bundesliga titles as a player at the club level and secured three European Cups with Bayern Munich. He also had a stint in the United States with the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League, earning the championship three times.
Beckenbauer, having spent time in management and with the DFB, came under investigation by FIFA for his alleged involvement in corruption scandals related to bids by several countries to host the World Cup.
Beckenbauer pictured in 2019.
Frank Hoermann/Sipa USA/AP
In 2021, the case was dismissed because the applicable limitation period for prosecution had expired according to article 12 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE), as stated by FIFA's adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee. Despite this, Beckenbauer denied any wrongdoing, according to Reuters. The inquiry overlapped with Beckenbauer's declining health, as he underwent heart surgery in both 2016 and 2017, leading to a reduction in his public appearances.
His lawyers told FIFA during the investigations that he was suffering from a "progressive neurodegenerative disease" with "no expectation of a notable improvement."
Born to play for Bayern
Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945, in Bavaria shortly after the end of World War II. Despite later becoming a Bayern icon, Beckenbauer's childhood loyalty laid with local rivals 1860 Munich, a sentiment shared by many in Giesing, the town of his upbringing, according to the Bundesliga.
Despite this, he joined Bayern Munich's youth team in the late 1950s and made his debut in the senior team five years later, initially playing as a left winger. The team was promoted to the Bundesliga in 1965 and achieved victories in the German Cup in 1966 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1967. Beckenbauer became the captain the next year and led the team to their first Bundesliga title in the 1968/69 season.
Wearing the captain's armband, Beckenbauer hoists the European Cup with Bayern Munich.
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Between 1972 and 1974, Bayern and Beckenbauer clinched three additional Bundesliga titles and also claimed three consecutive European Cups (now known as the Champions League) from 1974 to 1976.
After over ten years at Bayern, Beckenbauer moved to the US and signed with the Cosmos, where he played alongside Brazilian legend Pelé for a short time. He won the Soccer Bowl in 1977, 1978, and 1980 before returning to Germany to play for Hamburg, winning the Bundesliga once again in 1982. Beckenbauer then had one final stint with the Cosmos.
A German icon
Beckenbauer's international legacy is equally remarkable. His World Cup debut in 1966 saw him play a pivotal role as West Germany advanced to the final, although they were ultimately defeated by England.
Manchester United, the English soccer club, shared a photo on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) of Beckenbauer and Charlton, who competed against each other in the 1966 final. Charlton passed away in October 2023. The post expressed respect for their rivalry on the field and offered condolences to Bayern Munich for the loss of Franz Beckenbauer.
Beckenbauer's career had its highlights and setbacks, including soldiering on with his arm in a sling during a semifinal defeat against Italy in the 1970 World Cup after dislocating his shoulder. He also captained his team to a 3-0 victory over the Soviet Union in the final of UEFA Euro 1972. The pinnacle of his career came two years later when he led West Germany to a World Cup victory on home soil, defeating the Netherlands in the final.
"Johan was a better player, but I won the World Cup," Beckenbauer later said, per the Bundesliga.
Beckenbauer raises the World Cup trophy in 1974.
AP
Success off the pitch
After earning 103 caps for the German national team, Beckenbauer withdrew in 1977 and ultimately retired from the sport in 1983 after his final season with the Cosmos.
The next year, he was named the manager of West Germany. He led the team to the 1986 World Cup final, where they were defeated by Argentina and Diego Maradona. However, in 1990, West Germany emerged victorious, defeating Maradona's team and winning the World Cup for the second time.
Beckenbauer celebrates with the World Cup trophy once again, this time as West Germany coach.
Kai-Uwe Wärner/picture alliance/Getty Images
"German football will be unbeatable for years to come," Beckenbauer remarked after the triumph, per the Bundesliga.
After leaving his national team position, Beckenbauer moved into club management. He led French club Marseille to a league title in 1991 before returning to Bayern and winning another Bundesliga title and the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League).
Beckenbauer then spent 15 years as Bayern president, shaping the team into the dominant force it is today. He also served as vice-president of the DFB and spearheaded Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup, as well as working as a TV pundit.
Redefining a role
Much of Beckenbauers on-field success can be attributed to the way he revolutionized the center-back position.
Beckenbauer, playing as a sweeper or libero, revolutionized the role of the modern ball-playing defender by advancing up the pitch to disrupt opponents' attacks, distributing passes across the field, and joining in on attacks when necessary. This marked a significant departure from the traditional concept of a center-back, which typically focused on minimal forward movement.
Beckenbauer conversely assumed much more on-ball responsibility and played the position with a perceived grace and class.
Beckenbauer scores past Switzerland goalkeeper Karl Elsener in 1966.
PA Photos/AP
"I am truly stunned," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, longtime CEO of FC Bayern and former teammate of Beckenbauer, in an interview with Bayern's website.
"Franz Beckenbauer revolutionized the history of German football and his impact will be felt for years to come. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach on the national team, and our president at Bayern - and in each of these roles, he was not just successful, but truly one-of-a-kind."
Beckenbauer will always be celebrated as a hero in Germany. He led from the front during many of the nation's greatest footballing moments, transformed Bayern into a European powerhouse during his playing days, and revolutionized a seemingly rigid role. Der Kaiser cemented his name in the soccer history books as one of the greatest players of all time.
