#5 Franz Beckenbauer
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As Player
As a player, Franz Beckenbauer or ‘Der Kaiser’ as he is more fondly known, did his nickname every last bit of justice possible. He was imperious over the years for his club and country as he soon garnered the reputation as one of the finest players to have ever graced the game.
The Belgians saw the German lead his national team to the winners’ medal as captain in the 1972 UEFA European Championships. West Germany beat the hosts, Belgium in the Semi Final and went on to overpower the Soviet Union by a score of 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy. Beckenbauer went on to be named in the team of the tournament that time.
In 1976, only an inspired performance from Czechoslovakia saw the West Germans thwarted as they lost the final on penalties after Czechoslovakia forced West German to a 2-2 draw after extra time. West Germany had beaten a strong Yugoslavia side 4-2 in the semi-final earlier. Der Kaiser was again named in the team of the tournament.
As Manager
When Beckenbauer led West Germany into the 1988 UEFA European Championships, many expected the West Germans to pick up the trophy. After a draw against Italy and wins against Denmark and Spain, they seemed well on their way. However, Beckenbauer was to be thwarted in the Semi Final, by the inspired Dutch side that went on to life the trophy.
The West Germans fell to goals from Van Basten and Koeman in a heated encounter that resulted in delirious celebrations from the Dutch who had managed to beat West Germany in competitive football for the very first time. Franz Beckenbauer went on to win the World Cup two years later but could’ve ended his career as a manager having won both the Euros and World Cup as manager and player. Alas! It was not meant to be.
