German legend Franz Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of football's greatest players, has died aged 78.
He won the World Cup as captain of West Germany in 1974 and lifted the trophy again as manager in 1990.
The former defender played 582 times for Bayern Munich, winning the German top flight as both as a player and a manager.
Nicknamed Der Kaiser, as a player he also won the European Championship in 1972, as well as the Ballon d'Or twice.
A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.
"We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."
Bayern, Germany's most successful club, said: "The world of FC Bayern is no longer what it used to be - suddenly darker, quieter, poorer."
They added that without Beckenbauer "Bayern would never have become the club it is today".
Playing as a midfielder, Beckenbauer man-marked Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup final, which England won 4-2, before shifting to his iconic position as a defensive sweeper.
He also scored four goals at the 1966 World Cup, aged just 20, and won the award for the tournament's best young player.
He went on to play 103 times for West Germany.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana Shippers’ Authority takes steps to reduce the cost of cargo clearance
18 mins -
Kusaal language goes live on Wikipedia
44 mins -
South Koreans compete to see who’s best at doing absolutely nothing
60 mins -
Scientists may have solved mystery behind Egypt’s pyramids
1 hour -
Court remands man over alleged theft of fuel dispensers
2 hours -
‘That was a lie!’ – Trump lawyer clashes with Michael Cohen in hush-money trial
2 hours -
MTN calls for rethink of tax structure
2 hours -
Chad’s Mahamat Deby confirmed as winner of disputed election
2 hours -
Ghana has been robbed of what I could have contributed – Kofi Amoabeng
3 hours -
At least 56 people dead in Sudan’s North Darfur state, Doctors Without Borders says
3 hours -
Persons who intend to perform Hajj with illegal visas will be arrested, fined and deported – Saudi Arabia warns
3 hours -
Sony Music slams tech giants for unauthorised use of stars’ songs
4 hours -
Telecel Ghana pays courtesy call on Togbe Afede XIV
4 hours -
Military intercept 231 bags of smuggled cocoa at Asutsuare
4 hours -
Check out the nominees list for the 2024 BET Awards
4 hours