Franz Beckenbauer was the only man ever to win both as player and coach at a World Cup tournament: West Germany in 1974 under his captaincy and Italy 16 years later with coaching duties. Franz Beckenbauer became an icon in German football following these feats of victory.
He had brief coaching stints with Marseille and Bayern Munich.
Germany beat Argentina 3-1 in the final
Franz Beckenbauer achieved unprecedented success both as player and coach during his distinguished career, winning five Bundesliga championships, four German Cups, one European Cup title and three North American Soccer League championships – twice winning Europe’s best player awards via winning the Ballon d’Or award twice (1972 and 1976). Furthermore he captained his national side to World Cup victories both times (1974 and 1990).
The final between Argentina and Germany was notable for many reasons, including being the first rematch of a World Cup final and the first time that a team from UEFA defeated one from CONMEBOL in such an important matchup. Furthermore, it marked the first time ever that an defending champion lost in such an important tournament event.
Lothar Matthaus had the daunting task of man-marking Diego Maradona of Argentina and limiting his influence. However, until Helmut Haller scored with an amazing chest control and volleyed finish past Sergio Romero in the 80th minute, Germany ultimately prevailed and scored what remains one of the greatest World Cup final goals ever scored.
France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final
Franz Beckenbauer will be sorely missed on the football world. A revered figure both as player and coach, Franz was one of its most illuminating figures — both as player and as coach — having transformed defender roles while leading Germany to two World Cup victories (1974 being particularly satisfying following England’s crushing win in 1966’s final.
Der Kaiser (“The Emperor”) was revered by many in Germany.
Franz Beckenbauer left Germany for the US to play soccer in 1977 and later looked back with great pride upon this move. He remembered taking a helicopter ride from Manhattan’s Pan Am Building across to Giants Stadium in New Jersey via helicopter and visiting Studio 54 along with fellow Cosmos stars Pele and Carlos Alberto. On returning home in 1980 he won yet another Bundesliga Championship before being hired to revitalise West Germany’s soccer program following an embarrassing performance at European Championship.
Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 in the final
Franz Beckenbauer was long one of Germany’s beloved figures. A prolific player and coach alike, his connection with football transformed it and set its direction forward.
He won five Bundesliga championships with Bayern and also captured several US trophies during his three-year stint with New York Cosmos, becoming two-time Ballon d’Or winner and widely considered to be one of the greatest players ever.
Argentina and Holland met in a World Cup quarter-final and it proved an exciting affair, full of spectacular moments. Nahuel Molina opened the scoring after 31 minutes through some extraordinary skill, followed by Lionel Messi scoring his maiden international goal on 73 minutes courtesy of taking a penalty and flatfooting goalkeeper Jan Smits to make it 2-0 and seal their fate as quarter-finalists. Dutch made three changes but were ultimately unsuccessful in finding an equaliser.
Iran beat Tunisia 1-0 in the final
Franz Beckenbauer is one of three people to ever win the World Cup as both player and coach, breaking all previous World Cup winning records with Bayern Munich under his tutelage and then Germany’s golden generation at both 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup tournaments hosted on home ground, defeating Johan Cruyff’s Dutch side ‘Total Football’ in both finals.
Beckenbauer won two Ballon d’Or awards and is widely credited with revolutionising the role of sweepers (liberos). He appeared in 424 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich and won three German Cups and an European Cup Winners’ Cup before moving to America’s New York Cosmos where he would later play alongside Brazilian icon Pele for three seasons before returning home for his last year of play with Hamburger SV in 1982.
Franz Beckenbauer was known for his welcoming character off the pitch and was widely respected as a family man and public figure. His success story touched millions, showing them that hard work, determination and skill can overcome any difficulty or obstacle that comes in their path.
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