Beckenbauer, the icon of German sporting success

IMAGE: Franz Beckenbauer was for decades synonymous with Germany's success on the pitch, as player and then coach. Photograph: Action Images/Reuters Franz Beckenbauer, who has died at the age of......

German World Cup-winning captain and coach Beckenbauer dies at 78

IMAGE: The Germany great was one of the three men to have won the World Cup as player and coach. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/Pool via REUTERS Franz Beckenbauer, one of Germany's greatest soccer......

Messi's footprints will join those of the greats

IMAGE: An Argentina fan displays a flag of Lionel Messi ahead of the victory parade. Photograph: Martin Villar/Reuters Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has been invited to......

Is Deschamps the greatest player-coach ever?

IMAGE: France coach Didier Deschamps during training. Photograph: Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters No coach has ever won the World Cup twice in the post-World War II era but France's Didier Deschamps is......

German football sinks deep in crisis after another shock World Cup exit

Germany are a shadow of their former powerful self Gone are their never-give-up qualities, their determination and conviction that any game, no matter what the score, could be turned Deep reforms......