Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has paid tribute to Franz Beckenbauer, after learning that the German football legend has passed away at the age of 78.
“It’s very sad news, of course. He’s one of the global football icons,”said Ten Hag, who spent two seasons coaching the reserves at Beckenbauer's former club Bayern Munich.
“He did it in different functions. As a player, he became very popular. He was winning but also he had a big influence on the game. He made such an impression in the way he played football and that brought him the name ‘The Emperor’.Then, as a coach, as a manager, also winning the World Cup, and also as a Director of Football, so he had a big influence on top football. We won’t forget what he did for German football, for Bayern Munich of course.
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“It is really sad news and I wish all his family all the best.”
Beckenbauer lifted the World Cup as West Germany captain in 1974, and also triumphed in the tournament as a manager, with Germany in 1990.
The revered defender's first international honour as a player was the European Championship in 1972. He went on to make 103 appearances for his country, including the World Cup final of 1966 when he played in midfield and man-marked United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
Although they were on opposite sides that day, as England famously won 4-2 at Wembley, Beckenbauer and Charlton became firm friends as two of the players known and admired around the globe for their distinguished careers in the beautiful game.
Acknowledging the news of his death, Bayern posted on their official X account:
“Suddenly, our world isn’t the same as it once was — darker, quieter and worse off. The record champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the incomparable ‘Kaiser’ without who FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today. Rest in peace, Kaiser.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger, a former player who served both United and Bayern, as well as Germany, commented on social media: “Thank you for everything, Kaiser - I will never forget you! Rest in peace, Franz.”