German Soccer Legend, Franz Beckenbauer, Dies at 78
Franz Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a player and a coach who became the defining figure in German soccer for more than half a century, has died at aged 78.
He died at his home, as confirmed by his family in a statement. The statement did not however specify where he lived or state the cause of death.
His relatives had previously suggested to German media outlets that he was in failing health.
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Known throughout an illustrious, trophy-laden career as “Der Kaiser,” Beckenbauer had retreated from public view in recent years, buffeted by the death of one of his five children, Stephan, from a brain tumor in 2015, and by a heart bypass operation the next year.
Before then he had been a totemic and magnetic presence in both German soccer and German public life. He was a player, a defender of unusual poise and elegance. He was a coach, exhibiting a deft touch and an easy manner with his players.
He was also an executive, showing himself to be a skilled diplomat and consummate networker.
Interestingly, the late German legend was among the pantheon of only three humans in the world football to have won the world cup as a player and coach with the late Brazilian legend, Mario Zagallo, who ENTERTAINMENT DIGEST reported his death on Saturday, and the current French national coach, Didier Deschamps
