When Franz moved to FC Bayern, he was still playing in the Regionalliga Süd. He needed a side job to make up for his low salary. In 1965, the team finally made it to the Bundesliga.
Franz, who was immediately a regular player thanks to his talent, was an all-rounder in several positions. Cajkovski was extremely satisfied, with one exception: Franz was too slender. He therefore prescribed weight training and larger portions. Franz's mother Antonie also served him a schnitzel before every game. A tradition that he kept throughout his career.
With 16 goals, Beckenbauer won the hearts of the fans. Although Gerd Müller and Rainer Ohlhauser scored even more frequently, Franz also proved his defensive qualities as a stopper. In the end, FC Bayern became champions of the Regionalliga Süd by three points.
In the promotion round, the team showed self-confidence and made it into the Bundesliga with four victories. At Riem Airport, 6,000 fans cheered for them. For Franz, it was clear that soccer would be his only job. He gave up his side jobs and even his hitherto skeptical father was convinced.
The first Bundesliga game followed on August 14, 1965: a city derby against the “lions” from TSV 1860 in the Grünwald Stadium. Despite the defeat, FC Bayern impressed with an offensive game. At the end of the season, they finished third in the table, just three points behind the champions.
In return, Bayern celebrated their victory in the DFB-Pokal: On June 4, they defeated Meidericher SV in the final. The victory ceremony on Munich's Marienplatz, in festively decorated cabriolets, was an unforgettable moment.
Just one year after his promotion, Franz was named “Footballer of the Year.” It was clear that he was not only an excellent player, he had the potential to become a superstar.
