Franz Beckenbauer was the aristocrat of German football, a defender of such elegance and intelligence that he reinvented the role of the sweeper. Known as Der Kaiser, he stepped out of defence to dictate play with a serenity that transformed how the position could be understood.
He captained West Germany to World Cup glory in 1974 and led Bayern Munich to a succession of European Cups, collecting two Ballon d’Or awards along the way. His authority and vision made him one of the most complete footballers the game has produced.
He later achieved the rare distinction of winning the World Cup as a manager in 1990, cementing a legacy that spanned the sport’s highest honours as both player and coach. Few have influenced football’s tactical evolution so profoundly.