FRANZ BECKENBAUER has passed away aged 78.
The German is widely-regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.
GettyFranz Beckenbauer has passed away[/caption]
Getty – ContributorBeckenbauer won the World Cup in 1974 with West Germany[/caption]
AP:Associated PressHe won the World Cup as a player and manager[/caption]
GettyThe legend passed away surrounded by his family[/caption]
His family confirmed that he died in his sleep surrounded by loved-ones.
Their emotional statement read: “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.
“We ask that you be able to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.”
Tributes have flooded in, which read: “We’ll miss you Kaiser. Legend forever. Rest in peace.”
Another added: “The best defender of all-time. RIP.”
A third commented: “I am absolutely speechless, rest in peace Kaiser.”
More said: “RIP legend. Commiserations to his family.”
The Sun’s Piers Morgan tweeted: “RIP Franz Beckenbauer. Sublime defender, great manager, magnificent ambassador for the game.”
Comedian and football lover David Baddiel added: “The great Beckenbauer gone now, so soon after Bobby Charlton. Bobby was given the job of keeping him quiet in the 1966 World Cup final. Maybe this is a very profound example of man to man marking.”
Gayr Lineker wrote: “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.”
Beckenbauer played 103 games for the former West Germany, and played at three World Cups.
He was captain of the World Cup-winning team in 1974 when they beat Holland.
And he then repeated the feat as manager, when he led his country to the World Cup in 1990.
Beckenbauer – nicknamed Der Kaiser, or The Emperor – is one of only three men, along with Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and France’s Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager.
As a player, he lifted the Bundesliga four times with Bayern Munich.
His glittering career also saw him win the European Cup three times with the German club.
On an individual level, he won two Ballon d’Or awards in 1972 and 1976 before turning to management.
Off the field, Beckenbauer was married three times.
The icon first married Brigitte Beckenbauer in 1966 and was with her until 1990.
Then he wed Sybille in 1990 before splitting 14 years later.
And Beckenbauer leaves behind current wife Heidi, who he married in 2006.
The football hero had five children with his three wives – four boys and a girl.
Beckenbauer’s glittering career
Franz Beckenbauer began his legendary career with hometown club Bayern Munich after catching their eye aged just 14.
The defender went on to debut with Bayern at 18 in 1964.
He would play over 500 times for the Bundesliga giants, winning everything there was to win in the game.
Having stacked up four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, three European Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup, the man dubbed “Der Kaiser” left Bayern after 18 years to move Stateside with New York Cosmos in 1977.
Beckenbauer starred alongside the likes of Pele and Carlos Alberto in the Big Apple, winning the North American Soccer League three times before returning to Germany in 1980, subsequently adding yet another Bundesliga title with Hamburg.
In addition to his sensational club career, Der Kaiser starred for his country, playing 103 times for West Germany and scoring 14 goals.
He became West Germany captain in 1972, and subsequently skippered them to Euros glory before lifting the World Cup two years later.
Beckenbauer also enjoyed great success as a manager, guiding his country to further World Cup glory at Italia 1990, Marseille to Ligue 1 success in 1991 and Bayern to Bundesliga and Uefa Cup trophies between 1993 and 1996.
GettyFranz Beckenbauer captained Germany against England in 1974 World Cup[/caption]
GettyHe won 14 trophies with Bayern as a player[/caption]
PA:Empics SportWest Germany beat Holland in the World Cup final[/caption]
GettyFranz Beckenbauer with his wife Heidi and son Joel[/caption]
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.