Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style

Who is Franz Beckenbauer?

Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Franz Beckenbauer is a German football (soccer) player who is one of only three people to win the World Cup as a player and as a coach. As a player, he revolutionized the sweeper (libero) role and captained West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup. He later managed the team to another World Cup win in 1990. His skill, leadership, and tactical influence earned him the nickname “der Kaiser.”