DFL renames competition
Special tribute to the late Franz Beckenbauer
12/20/2024 – 5:59 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Starting next year, German football will remember one of its greatest legends as part of the Supercup: Franz Beckenbauer. But the name change is not the only innovation.
Franz Beckenbauer is a special monument in German professional football. The Supercup, the duel between the German champions and the DFB Cup winners, will be named after the world champion who died at the beginning of the year from 2025. “Franz would like the game to be named after him,” said his widow Heidi Beckenbauer in a statement from the German Football League (DFL).
The agreement to rename was officially signed by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Hans-Joachim Watzke, spokesman for the DFL Presidium. In addition to the new name, the appearance and logo of the competition are also to be modernized. According to the DFL, the supporting program for the game, which traditionally kicks off the new Bundesliga season in August, could also undergo changes.
Beckenbauer died on January 7th of this year at the age of 78. He won the World Cup with the German national team in 1974 as a player and as team manager in 1990, which is why he was probably the most influential figure in German football. The long-time Bayern star was therefore also considered a “lighting figure” in sport in this country.
DFB President Neuendorf emphasized: “It is important to me personally and to the DFB to honor and recognize the achievements and life’s work of Franz Beckenbauer. His contributions to football are incomparable and unforgettable.”
Bayer Leverkusen currently holds the title of Supercup winner. This year, the German champions prevailed on penalties against runner-up VfB Stuttgart.