Page 85 - Soccer360 Issue 105

DER KAISER IN THE NASL
Away from his achievements at Bayern Munich, Franz Beckenbauer also made his mark
across the pond with two spells at the New York Cosmos in the 1970s and 1980s. Feargal Brennan reflects.
In 1977, Beckenbauer opted to step
away from his place at the heart of the Bayern Munich defence, to accept a bold move to the New York Cosmos. Despite coming to the natural end of his time
at the peak of European football, it was expected he would remain in Germany, but the challenge of a developing project appealed to him. The burgeoning North American Soccer League (NASL) had undertaken a charm offensive in Europe to bring world stars to the United States to grow the game’s profile within the domestic market with Beckenbauer and others signing big money contracts. Beckenbauer’s game nous saw him advance into midfield in New York,
with his debut campaign featuring a Soccer Bowl title win, as part of an
XI which included Brazil legend Pele. Despite Pele’s departure later that year, Beckenbauer stayed on in New York, with the game level allowing him to remain active, and lend his experience
to the side which was fighting for honours each year. Two further Soccer Bowl titles followed for Beckenbauer,
in 1978 and 1980, before accepting
a return to Germany after the latter campaign came to an end, leaving for
a two-year stint at Hamburg. However, despite appearing to be finished with his connection to New York, Beckenbauer was persuaded for one final swing at
the NASL in 1983, before hanging up his boots permanently and moving back
to Germany. Rumours of being offered the New York Cosmos manager’s job surfaced following his retirement but the chance to replace Jupp Derwall as West German boss proved to be too tempting an offer as he led them to the 1986 World Cup final in his debut tournament and then went all the way to lifting the trophy four years later.
how deep his impact on German football was. Long time friend, and honorary club president Uli Hoeneß, led a memorial service at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena home with teammates from the 1974 World Cup final win including Paul Breitner and his captain at Italia ’90 Lothar Matthaus in attendance. His presence for both Bayern Munich and Germany right up to and including their 2014 World Cup title was shown by the
kind words of Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Describing him as ‘like a man from the future’, Lahm said Beckenbauer ‘gave more to German football than
anyone else’, while Schweinsteiger simply labelled him ‘the greatest’. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also had his say, stating that Beckenbauer was a figure of huge relevance in his own coaching journey.
As Germany prepares to host its next
major tournament with Euro 2024 getting underway in June, it promises to be tinged with emotion and touched by further tributes to the man they serenaded as Der Kaiser (The Emperor), for his 103 caps and the success upon which he blessed his nation’s football for many decades.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game, Beckenbauer was inducted into the FIFA World Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
SOCCER360 85
FRANZ BECKENBAUER’S CAREER 1965 - 1996
World Cup
1974 (Player) 1990 (Coach) Runner-Up 1966 (Player) 1986 (Coach) Third Place 1970 (Player)
UEFA Cup
1974 (Player) 1975 (Player) 1976 (Player) 1996 (Coach)
EURO
1972 (Player) 1Runner-Up 1976 (Player)
Bunedlisga
1969 (Player) 1972 (Player) 1973 (Player) 1974 (Player) 1982 (Player) 1994 (Coach)
US Champ
1977 (Player) 1978 (Player) 1980 (Player)
TOP:
Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm was among those
to pay tribute to Beckenbauer
RIGHT:
Beckenbauer reading the New York Times ontop of a skyscraper in New York City