Rest In Peace, Der Kaiser
After a gruelling day in office, I returned home at around 9 p.m yesterday and received the very painful news from our schoolfriends' Whatsapp group. The football hero of our childhood, Franz Beckenbauer has left the world.The great footballer is known all over the world for his brilliant performance as central midfielder. He conceptualised the future position of 'sweeper' in football (the position where another football hero of mine, Franco Baresi of Italy excelled in the eighties).
Beckenbauer played the Football World Cup thrice, in 1966, 1970 and in 1974. In 1966, West Germany was runner-up in the tournament. In1974, West Germany won the World Cup. In all the three events, Beckenbauer played brilliant football.
Beckenbauer also won the European Champions Cup and the Ballon d'Or. In club football, he represented Bayern Munich of West Germany and won many laurels. He was named European Footballer of the Year twice. During the last part of his career, he joined Cosmos club of New York.
As a coach, Beckenbauer was also very successful. As a coach (manager), he reached the pinnacle of glory when West Germany won the World Cup in 1990 with Beckenbauer as the team manager. In 1986 World Cup, Germany was runner-up when Beckenbauer was the team manager.
In the role of organizer, he again displayed his brilliance. He led Germany's successful bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup and chaired the organizing committee.
During my childhood, I watched with awe the power football of Beckenbauer brilliantly mixed with intelligence. He moved in the ground like an emperor, as if he was commanding his force (football team) as the midfield general. Aptly he was called 'Der Kaiser' (The Emperor).
Yesterday, his reign was over.
Rest In Peace, Der Kaiser!
