Franz Beckenbauer has passed away
 

German former soccer player and coach Franz Beckenbauer passed away yesterday, aged 78, suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia. He was born on 11 September 1945.

As a player, he was a defender, and represented Team West Germany and won the UEFA European Championship in Belgium in June 1972, and the FIFA World Cup in West Germany in June and July 1974.

As the head coch for Team West Germany, he won the FIFA World Cup in Italy in June and July 1990.

With FC Bayern, he won the UEFA European Cup for Club Teams in 1974, 1975 and 1976. In May 1977, he left FC Bayern to play for New York Cosmos.

Just seen this - he's one of the very best players of all time. Redefined the sweeper/libero role both for Bayern and West Germany.

RIP

Edit: Just saw that Mario Zagallo passed away the other day too. Legendary Brazilian coach and player, and alongside Beckenbauer himself and Dider Deschamps is one of only three men to lead his country to victory both as a player and a coach at the World Cup.