The death of German and Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has seen an outpouring of tributes to the great man. Widely hailed as Germany’s greatest-ever player his contribution to the game took him from a player, to a coach to a club president and he is rightly considered a great.
Rather than outline his many achievements, accolades and contribution to world football, we’ve taken the chance to dig up some of der Kaiser’s most memorable sound bites- from the witty to the profound:
“The only reason I’ve been playing football for 33 years is because I can’t do anything else. When I read a Schopenhauer, for example – I don’t understand it.”
“You always hear that football is a drug. I say: football is a passion, a passion. I am not addicted to football. But: I love football.”
“Yes well, there is only one possibility: win, draw or lose.”
“I wouldn’t be suitable as a coach.” (1982)
“Let’s go out and play football.” (Tactical instruction before the 1990 World Cup final)
“I’m sorry for the rest of the world, but this team will be unbeatable for years to come.” (Following the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina in Rome)
“If you are presented with the championship trophy, then you are champion.”
“Yes, well, the result won’t change much unless someone scores a goal.”
“Rarely has a sensible sentence come out of a goalkeeper’s mouth.”
“Van Gaal is an expert, a teacher, a football coach, so completely different, exactly the opposite of Jürgen Klinsmann.”
“I’m a trained insurance salesman, imagine if I were still in insurance every day today – well, Allianz would then be by far the largest company in the world.”
“If you’re friendly, it won’t cost you anything. I have no enemies because I first treat everyone positively.”
A remarkable human being and a great football player & a leader. He makes the libero position as his own and till today nobody has been able to play liked him. Thank you for the great memories. RIP Der Kaiset