January 12, (THEWILL) – Bayern Munich will commemorate club icon, Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away on Sunday, at the age of 78, during their Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim on Friday.
Known throughout football as “Der Kaiser” (“The Emperor”), Beckenbauer captained and later served as club president of Bayern Munich, in addition to leading West Germany to World Cup glory as both a player and coach.
Ahead of kick-off, a minute’s silence will be held at the Allianz Arena, with players from both teams wearing black armbands in Beckenbauer’s memory. Additional tributes will include Bayern players warming up in shirts bearing Beckenbauer’s squad number five, as well as child mascots being similarly dressed. Beckenbauer’s song “Gute Freunde” will play over the loudspeakers as the teams enter the pitch and again if Bayern score.
The centre circle will feature a commemorative Beckenbauer banner, while the Bayern squad will wear special jerseys printed with “Danke Franz” (“Thank You Franz”). Video highlights of Beckenbauer’s career will appear on the stadium’s big screen and the words “Danke Franz” will illuminate the exterior of the Allianz Arena.
Bayern’s Legends team, competing in Frankfurt on the same evening, will also wear black armbands to mark the passing of the legendary Beckenbauer. The former sweeper, who made over 400 appearances for Die Roten, leaves behind an unmatched legacy at the Bavarian club.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
