St. PETERSBURG, January 8, Dmitry Edigarev. The 1974 world football champion, German Franz Beckenbauer, was a gentleman both in life and on the football field, said former head coach of the USSR and Russian national teams Anatoly Byshovets.
Beckenbauer died on Sunday at the age of 78.
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"A great player, a great coach and a great man has died. His teams were distinguished by amazing balance and fast play. Even in terms of human qualities, Beckenbauer was a worthy person, because he came to Lev Yashin when he had health problems. He paid tribute to Yashin and flew to him in Moscow in difficult times. Franz was a true gentleman on the football field and remained so in life,” said Byshovets.
In addition to the World Cup, Beckenbauer won Euro 1972. As part of Bayern Munich, the defender won the German championship four times and won the European Champions Cup three times (the modern name is the Champions League). Beckenbauer is a two-time Ballon d'Or winner. As head coach, Beckenbauer led the West German team to victory at the 1990 World Championships and silver medals in 1986. Also, under his leadership, Bayern won the German championship and the UEFA Cup, and Marseille won the French championship.