Bayern Munich illuminate home stadium in honor of German football legend Beckenbauer

By Can Erozden

Bayern Munich on Tuesday lit up their home pitch arena to commemorate club and German legend Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away on Sunday, age 78.

The words "Danke (Thank you) Franz," were projected on the Allianz Arena's facade, and will be kept there for "the coming days," the German champions said in a statement.

"To finish, the special illumination will also be seen from 16:30 to 00:30 on Friday night, during FC Bayern's home match against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (kick-off 20:30)," Bayern Munich said, adding that the club is mourning him.

In another statement, Bayern Munich said that it will hold "a large memorial service" for Beckenbauer at the arena on Friday, Jan. 19.

Beckenbauer amassed a hard-to-top list of achievements on the pitch as one of only three people to win the FIFA World Cup both as a player and coach.

Nicknamed "Der Kaiser" (The Emperor), Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of all time, helped Germany win the 1974 World Cup, two years after Germany including him won the European crown.

As Germany’s head coach, he also led the team to a 1990 World Cup title.

Beckenbauer spent a large chunk of his career at Bayern Munich, from 1964 to 1977, to help it win three consecutive European Cups and four German Bundesliga titles.

The German great was also Bayern Munich’s president from 1994 to 2009.