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Franz Beckenbauer: German football legend dies aged 78

Franz Beckenbauer: German football legend dies aged 78
Photo:Sky Sports

German legend Franz Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died at the age of 78.

Beckenbauer won the World Cup as captain of West Germany in 1974 and lifted the trophy again as manager in 1990.

The former defender played 582 times for Bayern Munich, winning the German top flight as both a player and a manager.

Nicknamed Der Kaiser, as a player he also won the European Championship in 1972, as well as the Ballon d'Or twice.

After leaving Bayern, Beckenbauer was lured to play for the New York Cosmos, where he and Pele were the poster boys of the burgeoning North American Soccer League.

He retired in 1983 and less than a year later, with no managerial experience, was named West Germany manager.

Beckenbauer led his country to the 1986 World Cup final in Mexico before winning the trophy four years later by beating England in the semi-final and gaining revenge on holders Argentina in the final.

Source: BBC Sports.

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