By: David Kilpatrick, PhD
Franz Beckenbauer was born 81 years ago today in Munich, Germany. Having made his debut for Bayern at the age of 18, he quickly transformed the local club into a national and eventually a global superpower, winning four Bundesliga championships, three European Cups, and one International Cup. Leading West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner (1972 and 1976) joined the Cosmos during the 1977 season at the age of 31. After eight months of negotiations, he signed his contract with the club at a press conference in the Baroque Room at the Plaza Hotel (59th & 5th) on May 25, 1977, saying, “I came here because I hope to help to make soccer in America more popular.” His impact was immediate, as he joined his dear friend Pelé on a team that not only captured the league title but also the hearts and minds of what became known as Cosmos Country.
Der Kaiser would win the North American Soccer League three times in his first four seasons with the club (1977, 1978, 1980). Having fulfilled his four-year contract, he left the Cosmos for Hamburger SV, where he won his fifth Bundesliga title, he returned to New York for one more season in 1983. With his calming presence back on the pitch, he led the team to a first-place regular season finish. He retired from playing at the end of that season, recording 23 goals and 53 assists in 132 regular season and playoff appearances with the Cosmos.
Beckenbauer was named manager of the West German National Team the next year, leading them to the FIFA World Cup Final in 1986 and then the title in 1990, becoming the first to win the World Cup as a player and manager. Having managed Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title in 1994 and the UEFA Cup title in 1996, he served as the club’s president from 1994 to 2009. The chairman of the organizational committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, is accomplishments as a player, manager, and administrator in the game are unsurpassed. No nickname was more apt, as he quite simply won everything there was to win in the sport.
Beckenbauer was back in Cosmos Country one last time in April 2015 when, together with Pelé, he lit the Empire State Building green.
His care for the ball and his composure on the pitch was a marvel to behold. His grace on the pitch was matched by his manner off the pitch, as he exemplified cosmopolitan elegance with great kindness and consideration for all blessed to have spent time in his presence. He will forever be cherished among the greatest legends of the beautiful game.
Beckenbauer called his playing days with the Cosmos “the greatest time of my life.” He passed away on January 7, 2024. But his legend lives on. The Cosmos and the world of football will always recall Der Kaiser as one of the greatest of all time.
