Franz Beckenbauer

In the 70s the West German team was built on the libero: Franz Beckenbauer dominated the game with his elegance and eye for the game.

Magnus Brink
tyskfotboll@hotmail.com

Franz Beckenbauer was born in Giesing in Munich in 1945. He grew along with his brother Walter and both parents. His father worked as a postal worker. The family expected a girl to be born efter Walter but the name Franziska had to be changed to Franz. The familys apartment was close to a pitch and there Franz at an early ag started to play with his brother and friends. Franz would early show his talent for the game and at age 10 he joined SC München 1906. He developed to one of the greatest talents in Bavaria and was not only known for his skills but also as an fighter. In his teens he developed one of his strengths, the ability to play in all positions of the field. The leading team during these years wa 1860 Munich and they wanted Beckenbauer in the club. It saw during a long time as if Beckenbauer would joined 1860 but after a controverse between Beckenbauer and 1860 player during a youth game the 1860 ended before it had started.

Instead Beckenbauer choose to play for Bayern Munich. Bayern wasn't the great power as we today all know it as. Bayern had had successes in the past as German champions in 1932 and had won the German Cup in 1957 but was considered as the second team after 1860 in Munich. Beckenbauer got a place in the first team squad in the early 60s. Bayern then played played in the second division. In 1965 Bayern managed to qualify for the Bundesliga and then reached a third place during the first season in the top flight. A sensational season for Bayern and the young Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer played in the national youth team and then got his first cap under coach Helmut Schön.

First cap against Sweden
Franz Beckenbauer was getting more known internationally when he was called up to the national team. It was the decisive qualifying game for the World Cup against Sweden in Stockholm. Beckenbauer had only played in the Bundesliga for a couple of months. Beckenbauer was without doubt the greatest talent in German football but in a match like this one a coach mostly relies on players with routine. Beckenbauer has talked about the uncertainty he felt - would he play or not? He was then given the chance and was the in the first team linup as a midfielder.

Breakthrough at the World Cup
During the group stage in the World Cup Beckenbauer made some fine games with two goals against Switzerland (5-0) and was one of the rookie stars. He then directed the quarterfinal against Uruguay which ended 4-0 and the the USSR waited in the semi final. At Goodison Park in Liverpool the Germans and Beckenbauer controlled the game and Beckenbauer scored the winning goal. In the World Cup final Beckenbauer was up against England's star Bobby Charlton. The final ended 2-4 efter extra time. After the World Cup Beckenbauer was upheld by the world press and his international breakthrough was a fact. The in 1968 Beckenbauer would be the man behind a mile stone in German football history. England was again the opponent and Beckenbauer scored and thereby Germany had for the first time ever won against England. Beckenbauer cemented his reputation as the great star of German football. A low point however was the fact that West Germany failed to qualify for the European Championship after a disappointing draw against Albania in 1967.

Mexico 1970
During the World Cup in Mexico Beckenbauer stilled played in the midfield but it was more and more obvious that the role as libero grew more and more. In the group stage West Germany made impressing displays winning all three games. In the quarter final against England Beckenbauer scored 1-2 as West Germany turned the game upside down winning with 3-2 after extra time. In the semifinal Beckenbauer not only had to see Italy win after one of the greatest games ever, he was also injured. A broken arm didn't stop Beckenbauer who continued to play - West Germany had already made all their substitutions. West Germany then took the third place after a win against Uruguay, Beckenbauer didn't play the third place match.

European Champion
In 1972 Beckenbauer was team captain for the great German team that won Germany's first title since the World Cup in 1954. On their way to the final West Germany took a historic first win at Wembley in the spring of 1972. Beckenbauer was together with midfield elegant Günter Netzer the playmaker. West Germany marched through the final against the USSR with a grand display winning 3-0 in Brussels.

World Champion
Beckenbauer's greatest moment came in 1974 when he and West Germany won the the World Cup in Munich. Beckenbauer lifted the trophy in his home town, in his home stadium, as the team captain and the great leader of the team. Beckenbauer's was now at his top as the anchor of the team. Beckenbauer had a strong position towards the coach Schön and many claim that Beckenbauer had decisive views on how the team should play. It was clear that Beckenbauer was a favourite for the Schön who called Beckenbauer "das Glücksfall". One must also mention Beckenbauers side kick in the national team as well as in Bayern Munich during the most successful years: Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck. Schwarzenbeck was known as "der Wasserträger" as his role was to fill in the gaps that came as Beckenbauer went forward on the field. This odd couple, the outgoing star Beckenbauer and the anonymous Schwarzenbeck shared all the great success of West Germany and Bayern Munich.

Beckenbauer in Bayern
In the 70s the National team was formed to almost all parts of players from the two leading teams Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayern had after their debut in the Bundesliga managed to form one the greatest team ever. In 1966 the team won the German cup and in 1967 the club won its first international title winning the Cup Winners' Cup. Beckenbauer made a bunch of commercials and the song "Freunde kann niemand trennen" reached the charts. There was also an Beckenbauer-doll looking a bit like GI Joe on the market. Bayern Munich won the European Cup three times in a row. His unique position was then showed once when he was on the title page of Der Spiegel when leaving Bayern Munich.

Quitting the national team and going to the States
West Germany was at the top of the football world after winning both the continental and the world title. The team was however thrown back into normality when starting the qualification for the European Championship. The team failed to impress winning only with one goal against Malta in December 1974. The team finally reached the final. Beckenbauers last great time in the national team wouldn't give him a new title. Czechoslovakia's victory is one of the greatest surprises in the history of the European Championship. The picture is classic displaying a very disappointing Beckenbauer drinking what was intended to be the victory champagne. 		A year later, in 1977, Beckenbauer ended his international career and moved to the North American league NASL and New York Cosmos. NASL was of course not better but Beckenbauer was likely in wanting to finish his career in the NASL. He played for Cosmos until 1980 and won three Soccer Bowl-titles. Beckenbauer played together with Pelé and the two made thousands of fans come the stadiums. Beckenbauer could also appreciate being more or less anonymous compared to home in Germany.

Return to Germany
In 1980 Beckenbauer was back in the Bundesliga and Hamburger SV where his old buddy Netzer now was team manager. He played for Hamburg until 1982 when he ended his career. Beckenbauer had returning injuries and wasn't able to play the role he hade done earlier. It was of course a bit strange to meet his old club Bayern with Hamburg, Hamburg which was on their way to through Bayern away from the throne as the leading club in West Germany. Beckenbauer won the league in 1982 but was not part of the Hamburg team that won the European Cup in 1983. All together Beckenbauer played a modest 28 matches in the Bundesliga for Hamburg.

National team coach
Beckenbauer's time off the spot would not be long. In 1984 he succeeded Jupp Derwall as national team coach after West Germany's poor display at the Euro '84 in France. Beckenbauer was the new generation and through his outstanding career he was given authority. Beckenbauer didn't have the license that was needed and instead he was given the official title Teamchef. The position as Bundestrainer was still there but now in the role as assisting coach. Horst Köppel was the first Bundestrainer under Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer's first years was full of controverses, the most famous perhaps when keeper Uli Stein was sent home during the World Cup tournament in Mexico. Beckenbauer guided West Germany to the silver medals but the team failed to impress and show the game one remembered Beckenbauer for. However Beckenbauer was as new coach able to get players back on the team, player who had refused to play under Derwall: Felix Magath being one of them. Others left the national team after Beckenbauer's entrance: Uli Stielike played only once under Beckenbauer and Bernd Schuster didn't return since leaving the team in 1984.

Beckenbauer has said that the first years was a learning period for him. With the creation of a new team the great success would come - the World Cup title in 1990. Beckenbauer could show a first glance of the new team at the Euro '88, a team that followed the team that won the European title in 1980. The semifinal loss against the Netherlands in Hamburg was of course a great disappointment for the home team going for the title. In Italy in 1990 Beckenbauer formed a great German team with Lothar Matthäus as the team captain. West Germany showed some great games in a medioker tournament.

President of Bayern Munich
Beckenbauer resgined after the World Cup final against Argentina. Berti Vogts took over. Beckenbauer was then for a short time in french side Olympique Marseilles before becoming president of Bayern Munich in 1994. Beckenbauer has also made shorter apperances as coach when Bayern has sacked their managers. This happened in 1994 when Beckenbauer as a coach won the league title and in 1996 when Bayern won the UEFA Cup. Beckenbauer combined the role as president with jobs as TV commentator and writing chronicles. Beckenbauer works today for the German Television ZDF. Franz Beckenbauer says his greatest success in later years was as World Cup general bringing the World Cup 2006 to Germany.

Beckenbauer's unique position
To sum it up one can state that no one has like Beckenbauer come to combine the different roles that successful. The player Beckenbauer celebrated victories like few and was a legend already in his active days. Beckenbauer is by many considered as the best defender ever and he was the star of West Germany's great 70's team. Beckenbauer was able to transform his playing career into a coaching career guiding West Germany to World Cup glory. Then in 2006 he made a great display as president of the organizing committe for the 2006 World Cup. Beckenbauer is widely known for his sayings and in critizing today's national team. This would hardly be possible in that extent for any other - Beckenbauer has an unique position in German football.

The Kaiser turns 60
His position was yeat again shown when he celebrated his 60th birthday in 2005. A gala show called "Kaiser wird 60 - die Franz Beckenbauer-Gala in German TV with Thomas Gottschalk ("Wetten, dass?") as host celebrated The Kaiser. Viewers were shown pictures from his childhood and until today. Stories were told by former team mates and his hit "Freunde kann niemand trennen" was played.

The Beckenbauer shorts
Adidas had a close sponsorship with Beckenbauer and Bayern Munich resulting in a line of products. Beckenbauer had different football shoes named after him and the famous The Beckenbauer shorts. The shorts was an selling hit and became a Adidas classic.

Facts

DOB: 11th September 1945 in Munich, Germany

Caps: 103 (1965-1977)
Goals: 14
First Cap:
Last Cap:
50 caps as team captain

Caps    Goals
1965    30
1966127
196750
196891
196960
1970122
197192
197270
1973101
1974150
197570
197671
197710
Totalt10314

World Cup



Participation: 1966, 1970, 1974
Games: 18 (1966: 6 1970: 5 1974: 7)
Goals: 5 (1966: 4 1970: 1 1974: 0)

World Cup winner 1974
Runner-up 1966
Third place 1970

European Championship



Participation: 1972, 1976
Games: 4
Goals: 0

European Champion 1972
Runner-up 1976

Clubs

New York Cosmos, USA (1982-1983)
Hamburger SV (1980-1982)
New York Cosmos, USA (1977-1980)
FC Bayern München (1958-1977)
SC 1906 München (1954-1958)

Honours

German championship (5) 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982
German Cup (4) 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971
European footballer of the year (2) 1972, 1976
German footballer of the year (4) 1966, 1968, 1974, 1976

424 matches in the Bundesliga (1963-1977)
44 goals in the Bundesliga

Intercontinental Cup (1) 1976
European Cup (3) 1974, 1975, 1976
Cup Winners' Cup (1) 1967
3 Soccer Bowl titles

Coaching career

National team coach West Germany 1984-1990
World Champion 1990
World Cup Runner-up 1986

Bayern Munich (1994, 1996)
German champion with Bayern Munich 1994
UEFA Cup (1) 1996
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