No Bayern Munich player will ever wear the No. 5 jersey again. As a tribute to their former player, coach, and president Franz Beckenbauer, Bayern Munich has permanently retired the iconic number he once wore.
Earlier this year, Beckenbauer, the first footballer to win the World Cup as both a captain and a coach, passed away at the age of 78. Widely regarded as the greatest footballer in German history, his legacy remains unmatched.
Under Beckenbauer’s leadership, Germany clinched the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup. In the 1970s, he guided Bayern Munich to three consecutive European Cups (now the Champions League) and multiple Bundesliga titles, cementing the club’s place as a powerhouse in European football.
Loved and respected for his contributions and charisma on the field, he was fondly nicknamed “Der Kaiser” or “The Emperor” by German fans.
Beckenbauer also served as Bayern’s coach across two stints, winning the Bundesliga in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996. Later, he took on the role of the club’s president, further solidifying his impact on Bayern’s history.
Announcing the retirement of his No. 5 jersey, Bayern wrote on social media on Sunday:
“Forever our Kaiser. In memory of Franz Beckenbauer, FC Bayern will never give the No. 5 jersey to anyone again.”
