The date for the funeral service has been set
FC Bayern is planning a special farewell to Beckenbauer
January 9, 2024, 8:36 p.m
On Säbener Strasse there is a mourning candle next to a small bouquet of red and white roses. On the evening Franz Beckenbauer’s death was announced, someone placed the arrangement in front of the FC Bayern Munich office. Not far away, at the birthplace of the greatest German footballer in the Giesing district, there is a note on the sidewalk in the morning. “Thank you Franz!” it says. Many people cannot believe that the legend Beckenbauer died at the age of 78 on this bitterly cold January morning in Munich. Companions, celebrities and fans all over the world bow to one of the most important footballers in history.
FC Bayern is planning a very special farewell
In the evening, FC Bayern announced that it would be holding a large memorial service for Franz Beckenbauer in its Allianz Arena – which can accommodate more than 75,000 mourners – on January 19th from 3 p.m. The people of Munich invite “friends and companions from national and international sports, culture and politics as well as all fans and the entire football family in general to say goodbye to the unforgettable ‘Kaiser’ in a special, emotional setting.” It is still unclear how the Beckenbauer family plans the memorial service and burial of the ex-footballer, who was revered as a “figure of light.” According to reports, it will take place in the smallest circles in the coming days.
The Franz Beckenbauer Cup?
Berti Vogts, who had become world and European champions at Beckenbauer’s side, suggested a special tribute. “It is important that his name is not forgotten by the following generations of footballers. Maybe the DFB should think about naming the DFB Cup after Franz Beckenbauer, for example,” the 77-year-old told the “Rheinische Post” . The former professional and national coach immediately received approval: Olaf Thon, who was able to lift the World Cup trophy in 1990 under coach Beckenbauer, called Vogts’ suggestion on Bayerischer Rundfunk “not a bad idea.” The former Bremen manager Willi Lemke said to “Welt” about the DFB Cup idea: “German football would think that was very good.” The proposal is “definitely appropriate”. Jürgen Kohler and Reiner Calmund also agreed.
Mourning flower during training
The German Football Association has not yet wanted to comment on the idea. Basically, the DFB wants to think promptly about how the life and work of Franz Beckenbauer can be honored. As a DFB spokesman said, it is currently a time for mourning and saying goodbye. Discussions will be held with Beckenbauer’s family and FC Bayern Munich about how to proceed. Coach Thomas Tuchel and the Munich professionals wore mourning ribbons during training in memory of the honorary president. They also posed with a current FCB jersey with a “Thank you Franz” print as well as an original jersey of the former exceptional footballer, which he wore on June 26, 1965 in the historic 8-0 win against Tennis Borussia Berlin in the promotion round to the Bundesliga had.
A postcard in front of Beckenbauer’s birthplace
Meanwhile, an application was submitted to Mayor Dieter Reiter of the SPD in the Munich city council to name a street after Beckenbauer. A book of condolence was available in the town hall, and another book from the State Chancellery will be available in the residence from Wednesday. A minute’s silence was held before Borussia Dortmund’s friendly against Standard Liège in Marbella, Spain. The inscription “Thank you Franz” will shine on the Allianz Arena in the next few days. Franz Beckenbauer inspired and moved countless football fans during his career as a player and coach. “Thank you for allowing me to grow up in a football-crazy country where people had smiles in their eyes when they talked about the national team…” someone wrote on the back of a postcard that was left in front of the birthplace on Zugspitzstrasse next to yellow ones roses lay.