This Day in History: 2023-08-18

Nr. 501

BECKENBAUER THE ELEGANT DEFENDER (1972)

Franz Beckenbauer embued the sweeper position in football with class and made this very specialised role glamorous. It brought him accolades as one of the finest defenders in soccer history and saw him lead his club Bayern Munich and his country West Germany to the pinnacles of success. Sweeping behind the defence, ‘Der Kaiser’ with his extraordinary football vision could read the game, adding extra security and improving the passing out of defence. Unusual in a defender of the 1970s, Beckenbauer was calm and confident with the ball at his feet, yet steely and accurate in his tackling.

Beckenbauer redefined the role of the sweeper and was a ball-playing defender of the highest order who could also perform in midfield.