Farewell, Der Kaiser! Bayern & Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away

Bayern and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78, his family told the dpa news agency.

Footballing greats including Gary Lineker and Lothar Matthaus have taken to social media to pay tribute to Franz Beckenbauer following the German legend's death at the age of 78.

His family confirmed that the World Cup winner had died on Sunday, and it has led to an outpouring of emotion and memories from some of the sport's finest.

Der Kaiser was a two time Ballon d'Or winner, and won the World Cup with West Germany as a player in 1974 and as a manager 16 years later.

On X (formerly Twitter), England legend Gary Lineker wrote: 'Very sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has died. One of the absolute greats of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful of footballers who won it all with grace and charm. RIP.'

Xabi Alonso, World Cup winner with Spain and current boss at Bayer Leverkusen, simply wrote: 'Ruhe in Frieden (Rest in Peace), Kaiser!', with a picture of his success from 1974.

Lothar Matthaus, Beckenbauer's World Cup captain in 1990, told SPORT BILD: 'The shock is deep, even though I knew that Franz wasn't feeling well. His death is a loss for football and for Germany as a whole.

'He was one of the greatest as a player and coach, but also off the pitch. Franz was an outstanding personality not only in football, and he enjoyed worldwide recognition. Everyone who knew him knows what a great and generous person Franz was. A good friend left us. I will miss him – we will all miss him!'

The German football team's English account wrote: 'Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer.

'One of the best players this sport has seen and a natural leader. He will be deeply missed by us all.'

Bayern Munich, where Beckenbauer made 584 appearances between 1964 and 1977, wrote: 'Suddenly, our world isn’t the same as it once was — darker, quieter and worse off. The record champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the incomparable ‘Kaiser’ without who FC Bayern would never have become the club it is today.

'Rest in peace, Kaiser.'

Goalkeeping great Peter Shilton - who was in goal when Beckenbauer's West Germany beat England at the 1990 World Cup - wrote: 'Very sad to hear that the great @beckenbauer has sadly passed away he was a fantastic player reaching world class status @FIFAWorldCup RIP #Legend.'

Sir Kenny Dalglish had a personal memory to share when Beckenbauer was there to present him with his 100th Scotland cap.

Sir Kenny wrote: 'It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser'

Mail Sport columnist and former striker wrote: 'Very sad news this. Growing up my dad always talked about what a genius Beckenbauer was and still now any young kid who’s any good at bringing out from the back is referred to as ‘Beckenbauer’… that’s some legacy.'

Scottish international David Speedie wrote: 'Sad to hear one of the games all time greats Franz Beckenbauer has passed away.

'Der Kaiser was ahead of his time, he changed the way the we played football.

'He leaves behind a legacy many of can only dream about having as a footballer.

'RIP Franz Beckenbauer.'

Norway's Jan Aage Fjortoft, who worked with him on television in Germany, wrote: 'Franz Beckenbauer has died.

'One of the greatest players of all time. World Cup winner both as player and coach.

'I had the privilege to have him as a colleague at Sky Germany. He was always open and kind. And shared his wisdom and knowledge.

'Rest in Peace, Kaiser.'

Lead Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae wrote: 'Franz Beckenbauer passed away at 78 on Sunday. Arguably the greatest & most iconic of all German footballers. R.I.P.'

Beckenbauer is one of only three men to have won a World Cup as a player and manager.

The others are France manager Didier Deschamps and Brazilian icon Mario Zagallo, who passed away last week.