Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is a German football player who is the only man to have both captained and managed World Cup-winning teams.
Soccer Player
September 11, 1945
79
Born on September 11, 1945, in Munich, Germany, Franz Beckenbauer is widely recognized as one of the most exceptional footballers of all time. He is best known for his position as a sweeper and holds the unique distinction of being the only individual to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. Beckenbauer was a dominant force in German football during the 1960s and ’70s, earning him the title of Germany’s greatest footballer.
Throughout his playing career, Beckenbauer represented Bayern Munich, where he contributed to the team’s three European Cup victories and their Cup Winners’ Cup triumph. He also played for the New York Cosmos and Hamburger SV. As a coach, Beckenbauer guided the West Germany national team to World Cup success in 1974 and later managed both Bayern Munich and the German national team. Additionally, he played a significant role in organizing the 2006 World Cup held in Germany.
In recent times, Beckenbauer’s reputation has been marred by his involvement in a FIFA investigation concerning Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Despite this controversy, Beckenbauer’s status as a football legend remains intact. Notably, he is the only individual to have captained and managed World Cup-winning teams, achieving these feats in 1974 and 1990, respectively.