We're going to end this live page here, but you can scroll back through for reaction and tributes as Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer passes away at the age of 78.

You can also read our news story, which will continue bringing you the latest reaction and tributes from across the footballing world.

I'm going to leave you with some videos to remind you of Beckenbauer's footballing genius and him talking about his greatest challenge - playing against Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 Fifa World Cup final.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Franz Beckenbauer's former New York Cosmos team-mate Dennis Tueart: "I would put him in the top 10. He invented playing out from the back and he did it naturally. You talk about all this reinvention of the tactics, he started it."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It is so sad to hear the news about Franz Beckenbauer, coming so soon after the death of England's own footballing hero Sir Bobby Charlton.

Sir Alf Ramsey sacrificed Charlton's abilities in the 1966 World Cup final so he could do a man-marking job on Beckenbauer, so worried was he about the threat the German posed.

Beckenbauer had to wait another eight years to get his hands on the Jules Rimet Trophy, part of the mid-70s period when Bayern were dominating the club scene in Europe.

In a matter of months, we have lost two of this continents greatest ever players.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Franz Beckenbauer's former New York Cosmos team-mate Dennis Tueart: "It was a pioneering job. He followed Pele. He used to love walking around New York and be Franz the person. He was the first one who really worked on the possession game.

"You see the rondo, when we first went into New York Cosmos, we did that and my word, could he pass a ball. He played midfield for us and he had more room on the ball. To have him with more time on the ball, I made a run and I knew I would always get the ball."

Former Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith talking to BBC Radio Scotland: "If you were picking an all-time world XI, he would always be in it.

"I worked with him on various committees and he was always friendly and humble. He never talked about his own unbelievable achievements.

"On one occasion I was with a group and he introduced himself ‘hello, I’m Franz Beckenbauer’ and we all just laughed, saying ‘we know who you are’."

John Murray
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

To put it into context, you think of all of the great players that have been, I think Franz Beckenbauer is in the top 20 comfortably. The outpour in Germany will be like when Sir Bobby Charlton died, like in Brazil when Pele died. He was one of the greats. He straddled football but also all sport as well, he was that big.

He was a bit of a villain from an England point of view but good friends with Sir Bobby Charlton, they crossed paths so many times.

Former Bayern Munich chief executive and team-mate Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “I am deeply shocked. Franz Beckenbauer rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impact on it. He was my captain at FC Bayern, my coach at the national team, our president at Bayern and in all of these roles he was not only successful but unique. As a personality, he impressed with his great respect for all people - because everyone was equal before Franz. German football is losing the greatest personality in its history. We will miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, dear Franz!"

Bayern Munich chief executive: "This is one of the saddest days since this club was founded. The story of FC Bayern and German football cannot be told without Franz Beckenbauer. We mourn the loss of one of the great personalities of this country. His influence on FC Bayern was unprecedented. Whether as a player, coach or president - Franz Beckenbauer was unsurpassed in everything. He will forever be remembered and in our hearts as the only 'Emperor' of German football.”

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer said: “There are no words to express how great our sadness is - and what a gap Franz Beckenbauer leaves behind. As a player, he brought lightness to the field, elegance and magic: Franz Beckenbauer brought the shine. Even after his playing career, he left an immense mark on FC Bayern and football; his legacy cannot be measured by titles. The FC Bayern family is eternally grateful to him, and I personally mourn the loss of a friend.”

Honorary president of Bayern Munich and former team-mate Uli Hoeness said: “Franz Beckenbauer is the greatest personality FC Bayern has ever had. As a player, coach, president, person: unforgettable. Nobody will ever reach him. People can say they saw football in Franz Beckenbauer's time. He was a friend to me, a unique companion - and a gift to all of us. Dear Franz, rest in peace!”

Bayern Munich, where Franz Beckenbauer spent 14 years as a player and had two spells as manager, have shared the following statement:

The world of FC Bayern is no longer what it used to be - suddenly darker, quieter, poorer: The German record champions mourn Franz Beckenbauer, the unique "Emperor", without whom FC Bayern would never have become the club it was and today is.

Franz Beckenbauer died yesterday, Sunday, at the age of 78, surrounded by his family in Salzburg.

FC Bayern stands in mourning alongside his relatives, friends and companions, especially his wife Heidi and his children Thomas, Michael, Joel Maximilian and Francesca Antonie.

Watch Franz Beckenbauer talking in 1990 about playing in the 1966 World Cup final, which his West Germany side lost 4-2 after extra time to England.

Beckenbauer was asked to mark England great Sir Bobby Charlton in the final, which he called "an honour".

Former Borussia Dortmund & Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert talking to BBC Radio Scotland: "He’s an icon for German football, a simply brilliant player.

"He made the libero position his own, he was essentially a midfielder playing at the back and he made it look so easy.

"He could have kept his suit on most of the time."

Watch a 20-year-old Franz Beckenbauer score a wonderful solo goal for West Germany against Switzerland at the 1966 World Cup.

German national team said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. One of the best players this sport has seen and a natural leader. He will be deeply missed by us all."

Sir Kenny Dalglish on X, formerly known as Twitter: "It fills me with deep sadness to hear about the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he presented my 100th cap for Scotland. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser."

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Borussia Dortmund mourns the loss of a great German footballer. Rest in peace, Franz Beckenbauer. 'The Emperor' will forever be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and all relatives."

Image source, Getty Images

Franz Beckenbauer lifted the World Cup in 1974 as captain of West Germany after they beat Netherlands 2-1 in the final.

He then guided them a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final to win the trophy as manager too.

He is one of three men, along with Brazil's Mario Zagallo and France's Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager.

Bundesliga, the national league in Germany, said on X, formerly known as Twitter: The Bundesliga family is devastated to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser.