Germany: "The club wouldn't have become what it is without Franz Beckenbauer" (FC Bayern Munich)

"The FC Bayern world is no longer what it used to be - suddenly darker, quieter, poorer. The German record champions are mourning the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, the unique Kaiser, without whom FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today. FC Bayern stands in mourning alongside his family, friends and companions, above all his wife Heidi and his children Thomas, Michael, Joel Maximilian and Francesca Antonie," said FC Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) on 08/01/2024.

Franz Beckenbauer, former international defender for Germany (103 caps from 1965 to 1977) died on Sunday 07/01/2024 at the age of 78.

The double Ballon d'Or winner (1972 and 1976) wore the Bayern Munich shirt for the vast majority of his career: in the youth teams from 1959 to 1964 before joining the first team, until 1977. As a player, he won four editions of the Bundesliga with this club (1969, 1972, 1973 and 1974), four German Cups (1966, 1967, 1969, 1971), three consecutive European Champion Clubs' Cups in a row (1974, 1975 and 1976), a Cup Winners' Cup (1967) and an Intercontinental Cup (1976). As coach of FC…