Franz Beckenbauer Quotes (58 Quotes)

It's very impressive. At the moment I would say Munich is the most beautiful stadium ... but once this is finished I think it will be stadium number one in the world.

As far as we're concerned, the World Cup could start even tomorrow. Then all the secondary issues will disappear and we can focus on the main issue -- soccer.

The Dutch are braver and more creative players, but less disciplined. They want to let the opponent see and feel that they're better, but they forget to score and settle the game.

The Olympic stadium may have been built only in the early 1970s but it was clear for a long time it had no future. For many reasons it is not good enough for modern football and today's fans.

He was sent off at the 1998 World Cup, and now he missed two penalties against France and Portugal. Beckham appears to have a problem with nerves.

We have provided the World Cup with as much security as possible. I don't see why the armed forces shouldn't be called in if needed.

We have already come a long way since Euro 2000. But our biggest problem is we don't have enough players of international class.

At least six Bayern players, who have won almost everything, are in the national squad.

I've often told him that he has to be in Germany more - now is prime time.

The most important thing however is the money. What use would it be to us, to have a a mighty stadium but a useless team, because we couldn't afford anything better?

It only surprises me that no one thought of it before.

Jurgen is shying away from making a decision.

Since Sven Goran Eriksson took over, England have been fantastic.

We are unfortunately not perceived as a particularly friendly people. We have to improve on that.

We should not fool ourselves. We are not one of the world's top teams any more.

It's unfortunately a reflection of the general trend in Germany. It's no coincidence that our clubs make early exits from the Champions League. I just hope that we'll have clean matches at the World Cup.

The World Cup could start tomorrow.

We used to always complain that the Italians were actors. But they were heroes compared to our league now.

It would make me a lot happier if I could meet up again next year with as many friends as possible from all over the world who I've met during my career. That's where the great opportunity lies, for me personally, in our role as World Cup host.

We just can't have the best goalkeeper off playing golf while we have an international match, ... Next time, he's going swimming.

The work remains undone while we do nothing but put out fire after fire. I hope that it (the scandal) will be resolved as soon as possible and we can return to business as usual.

He could avoid constant criticism that he is never here,

Of course he can go to the United States to see his family but he needs to spend most of his time here in Germany ahead of the World Cup.

When I see that the best goalkeeper (Kahn) is playing golf when the match is on it makes me crazy.

We're doing everything we can. But at the end of the day it's his decision, his future,

Now it's too late, but it was a hand ball. Thanks God for the Germans the referee didn't see.

Since Jurgen Klinsmann took over, the team has only played friendly matches, but now, for the first time, they are taking part in a real competition.

They have taken away our original idea. If Germany had stayed in charge, the opening gala would certainly not have been cancelled.

It doesn't make sense any more to talk to him about it. I don't know how often I've spoken with him and told him that he must be in Germany during the final run-up to the tournament. If that's how he views the profession then he will have to live with the criticism.

After the 4-1 in Italy it was necessary for him to be here to pick up the pieces. If he sees it differently then he must live with the criticism.

The two designs are completely different. The first is totally futuristic, the second is more classical. You can of course get very excited about doing something completely out of the ordinary, just like the Olympic stadium in its time. But each to his or her own taste.

Gerd was the right choice -- no one was better.

As someone who played a team sport, I feel a bit uncomfortable being ranked as an individual so high,

At any rate, I can only see such a success having positive effects for everyone, particularly as our anticipation of the World cup would only increase further.

There are technically better teams but we can compensate for that. We are not in the position to compete in Italy or other places but it is different at home.

I can't see a better farewell stage for one of the best European players of all time as the World Cup.

The FIFA has words of criticism for the organizing committee over and over again. They're completely superfluous.

Our nation made itself look a bit ridiculous in front of the whole world.

Back then, a half-a-century ago, the situation was totally different. Economically, we were practically on our knees, and politically, we were still excluded from the community of nations. Today, in this respect, we have a totally different and much more stable basis.

What the FC Bayern has become is thanks to Gerd Mueller.

If they are (knocked) out, the whole country would be in depression and the whole atmosphere, the enthusiasm of the fans would be gone.

Surely a German international must earn enough money to do without getting mixed up in a betting venture of this nature. Nevertheless the allegations make it difficult for us and certainly come at a bad time.

The trouble for today's footballers is they have too many distractions. We used to get our old players coming to watch training with football magazines in their hands. Now, more often than not, they are checking the share prices.

This was an obligatory appointment.

It's his life. At 29, this is his last chance to sign a big contract.

The players are doing everything to make the life of referees difficult.

I would pass him the ball and watch him play, it was like Mozart. This year, playing with him was absolutely amazing.

We are the last remaining country to allow ourselves two breaks in the season. You just have to look at England, Italy and Spain, they play right through the season. We on the other hand take six weeks off in the winter until the end of January, and that is a luxury.

At the World Cup and even now at the Confederations Cup, our security provisions will ensure the greatest level of protection possible for all those participating - both inside and outside the stadiums.

The coach of the host country has to be there - that is beyond question. If I have to think about this anymore my choice of words would be more drastic.