In Hamburg, he was number 12 and initially played under his former Bayern coach Branko Zebec. Franz performed well in his 17 appearances, but had to reintegrate himself into the team structure first. Especially in preparation for the 1981/82 season, he then shone with strong appearances under the new coach Ernst Happel.

Over the course of the season, however, his vulnerability to injuries and the traces of recent years became increasingly noticeable, probably also as a result of the many games on artificial turf in the USA and his age. Franz suffered, among other things, an adductor rupture, tendon irritation, bruises, strains and finally even a kidney tear. Nevertheless, he achieved another title with the team at the end of the season: in 1982, HSV became German champions.

Franz played his last Bundesliga game on May 29, 1982. Shortly after, on June 1, his farewell game took place: Hamburger SV against the German national team. It was symbolic that it was played in Hamburg, the place where he had also played his first game for the FC Bayern professional team in 1964.

Franz used the proceeds from the farewell game to found the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation. Their aim was to support people with disabilities and people who are ill or in need through no fault of their own. To this day, the foundation is continued by his wife Heidi Beckenbauer and his son Joel Beckenbauer.

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