What teams did Franz Beckenbauer play for? What was his position?

‘Der Kaiser’ Beckenbauer, died at the age of 78 with the centre back best known for his achievements with Bayern Munich and Germany.

The world of football is in mourning following the news on Monday that Franz Beckenbauer died at the age of 78, the German soccer great’s family confirmed.

A statement issued to the German news agency DPA said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that my husband and our father Franz Beckenbauer died peacefully yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.”

Beckenbauer was a classy, dominant presence on the pitch for West Germany and Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s, using a calmness on the ball and effortless distribution that marked his midfield performances to virtually invent the central defensive sweeper role, or ‘libero’ where he found most success. The player eventually moving to a more central defender position as his career evolved.

‘Der Kaiser’ will always be associated with Bayern Munich and the German national team. Beckenbauer remains fifth in overall appearances for the Bavarian giants pulling on the Bayern jersey some 582 times in all competitions. Born in Munich, Beckenbauer soon entered the local club’s youth system and in 1964 became part of its first team. He stayed at Bayern until 1977 and in that time bagged four Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and three consecutive European Cups between 1974 and 1977.

Beckenbauer decided to pack his bags in 1977 and made the move to the United States to play for three years for the New York Cosmos in the burgeoning NASL with his drive and goa along with that of other big name stars such as Pele, George Best, Johan Cruyff and Rodney Marsh to help boost the game in North America.

After three years living in the Big Apple winning three domestic league titles with the Cosmos, he returned to the German league and helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga title in 1982. A further season with the Cosmos in New York was to be Beckenbauer’s last as a professional player as he made the transition from player to head coach where he oversaw the likes of Olympique de Marseille, Bayern Munich and the German national team.

In his 582 games for Bayern, Der Kaiser bagged 74 goals earning international 103 caps with Die Mannschaft winning the 1972 European championship and 1974 World Cup with (West) Germany.