The famous Watschn
The Kaiser’s youth in Munich
In late summer 1945, Munich was a city in ruins. Franz grew up in the Giesing district, right next to the pitch of SC München 06. It was there, as a little boy, that he discovered his passion for football. At the age of twelve, Franz faced the decision of which club to join. He had actually already made up his mind: he wanted to play in the blue jersey of 1860 Munich. But shortly before the move, Franz received a Watschn from a Löwen player. Outraged, he changed his mind and instead joined the Reds — FC Bayern.
Stories from Franz’s early years
Golden years in red at FC Bayern.
In the 1970s, Franz led FC Bayern into its most successful era. Under his guidance, a rising club grew into a European powerhouse. As captain and sweeper, he shaped the team’s playing style with calmness, vision, and elegance. Here are his greatest achievements with FC Bayern:
In his first match for the German national team, it was all about World Cup qualification.
In 1964, Franz was called up for the first time to play in the youth national team. But his time there was short-lived: on September 26, 1965, Franz was selected for the senior national team for the first time, in a World Cup qualifier. The match was crucial — an away win was needed to qualify for the World Cup in England. The new head coach, Helmut Schön, initially had doubts about whether he could entrust the 19-year-old exceptional talent with the “hell of Sweden.”
Call-up to the national teamStories from his years in the national team
1974 THE DREAM COMES TRUE: World Cup winner on home soil
The 1974 home World Cup was a tournament full of drama and emotion. One match in particular caused a stir: the legendary game against East Germany, where the Federal Republic suffered a surprising defeat. Yet this very loss became a wake-up call for the team. Under Franz’s leadership, the squad regained its strength, grew closer together as the tournament progressed, and improved with every match. In the Munich final, Franz ultimately led the German national team to a 2–1 victory and the World Cup title.
World Cup 1974Stories from the world cuP in 1974
FRANZ MOVES TO COSMOS AND LATER TO HAMBURGER SV
In 1977, Franz was drawn to a new world: New York. At Cosmos, he played alongside global stars like Pelé and helped make football shine in the USA. After those glamorous years, he returned to the Bundesliga in 1980. With Hamburger SV, he won the German championship once more in 1982.
STORIES FROM THE YEARS IN NEW YORK & HAMBURG
.jpg)
The Kaiser says adieu,
or not?
After his time at Hamburger SV, Franz returned once more to the USA: at Cosmos New York, he finally ended his active playing career in 1983. There, he bid farewell to the stage of international football, which he had shaped for decades. But his success story was far from over.
Appointed team manager of the national team
In 1984, only a few years after his farewell as a player, Franz faced his next great challenge: he was appointed team manager of the German national team. Without formal coaching training, but with all his charm and authority, he took on the responsibility. What was first seen as a risk turned into a success story. Franz led the German national team to the World Cup final in 1986 and finally, in 1990 in Italy, to another World Cup title.
Achievements as team managerStories from his years as team manager
FRANZ BECOMES COACH, PRESIDENT AND HONORARY PRESIDENT OF FC BAYERN.
Franz’s appointment as president of FC Bayern Munich in 1994 was a historic moment for the club. His tenure marked a decade of sporting success. In 1996, Bayern won the UEFA Cup with him in his dual role as president and interim coach. Championships, cup victories, Champions League — during his time in office, FC Bayern brought all the major titles to Munich. Together with Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Franz formed a strong leadership trio that combined sporting stability with economic growth.
Presidency at FC BayernStories from his years as an official at FC Bayern
FRANZ BRINGS THE 2006 WORLD CUP TO GERMANY.
Franz was the face of the 2006 World Cup. He had been working toward this tournament since 1997 — first as chairman of the German bid committee and later as head of the organizing committee. The tournament was his masterpiece. He was host, figurehead, and ambassador all in one. With his charming and unmistakable manner, he represented the “new Germany”: open, modern, warm-hearted.
STORIES ABOUT THE 2006 SOMMERMÄRCHEN
