BERLIN — German legend Franz Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, has died aged 78. He won the World Cup as captain of West Germany in 1974 and lifted the trophy again as manager in 1990. The former defender also played 582 times for Bayern Munich, again winning the German top flight as both as a player and a manager. Nicknamed Der Kaiser, as a player he also won the European Championship in 1972, as well as the Ballon d’Or twice. A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family. “We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions.” Playing as a midfielder, Beckenbauer man-marked Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup final, which England won 4-2, before shifting to his iconic position as a defensive sweeper. He also scored four goals at the 1966 World Cup, aged just 20, and won the award for the tournament’s best young player. He went on to play 103 times for West Germany. Beckenbauer is one of only three men to have lifted the World Cup as both a player and a manager, along with Brazil’s Mário Zagallo and France’s Didier Deschamps. As a player at Bayern, he won four league titles and was captain for the German giants’ three European Cup wins in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He also won the Bundesliga with Hamburg. “The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser,” the league said. Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, said Beckenbauer was “one of the best players our sport has ever seen”. “We look at his life’s work with respect and great gratitude,” he said. “With him, we are losing a unique footballer and a lovable person. “With his lightness, his elegance and his overview, he set standards on the field. “Franz Beckenbauer leaves a great legacy for the DFB and football as a whole.” Beckenbauer’s playing career started with Bayern Munich in 1963. He spent 14 years with the club before two spells at New York Cosmos, with two years at Hamburg in between those stints in the USA. He won the North American Soccer League three times with Cosmos and also won a Bundesliga title with Hamburg. The Premier League have put the following out on X, formerly known as Twitter: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, one of football’s greatest ever players. “A World Cup winner as both player and manager, ‘Der Kaiser’ was as elegant as he was dominant. He will forever be remembered.” Heike Ullrich, general secretary of the German Football Association, said: “I can speak for the entire company and for all employees when I say that we are very moved and deeply sad. “Much of what the DFB represents today contains achievements, successes and thoughts that Franz Beckenbauer had a significant influence on. “This also applies to the DFB campus, which is our home today. It was Franz Beckenbauer who first formulated the idea of a sporting competence center in the 1990s. “I am glad to have him as a footballer, idol, role model and as a person, we got to know and appreciate Franz Beckenbauer on various occasions. “Franz Beckenbauer will always have a prominent place in the history of German football, as well as in our hearts. We will always be grateful to him and him miss it very much.” German football broadcaster Taufig Khalil said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s a big loss. Everybody knew he was sick and there was a lot of talk about how is he feeling. “It is a big shock tonight. It is something everybody is fighting with. We are waiting for the first reactions from Bayern Munich. In German football, he was the biggest name. “He was a big hero for all times. He was the guy who brought the World Cup to Germany. His name will always be connected with playing beautiful football. “Johan Cruyff was king, but Beckenbauer was the emperor. Whatever he took in his hands, it moved to gold. He was the first German superstar.” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has said: “For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history. His interpretation of the role of the libero changed the game, this role and his friendship with the ball made him a free man. “Franz Beckenbauer was able to float on the lawn, as a footballer and later also as a coach he was sublime, he stood above things. “When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up, he rightly earned the title ‘lighting figure of German football’. “An aura surrounded him until the end, which even the health problems and strokes of fate that he had to cope with could not shake it. “I am grateful and proud that I was able to get to know him and will remember him fondly.” — BBC