Franz Beckenbauer, who led Germany to World Cup victory as captain and coach, has died at the age of 78, his family announced on Sunday.

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer was nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’ (Emperor) because of his commanding style on the field. He is widely recognized by football fans as one of the best players in the history of the sport.

Beckenbaue won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and won the tournament again as a coach in 1990. An outstanding midfielder or attacking sweeper, he also won the cup three times. C1 with Bayern Munich.

In 1977, after retiring from international football with a record 104 caps, Beckenbauer accepted an offer to play alongside Pele at the New York Cosmos in the fledgling North American Soccer League. Pele himself appreciated the stylish Beckenbauer. The Brazilian legend said: “As a player, he is more appreciated for his intelligence than his strength. He’s more like a Brazilian football player than a German one.”

A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: “We are deeply saddened to announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, next to his family.

“We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and not ask any questions.”

On Monday, the German Football Association announced the sad news, while DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “Franz Beckenbauer is undoubtedly the greatest German footballer of all time and above all one of the greatest me𝚗 I have ever known.”