Beckenbauer Slays Three Lions

Franz Beckenbauer, legendary Germany and Bayern Munich defender, has come out in the press recently and has slammed England’s performance against USA.

The ex-Germany captain, who lifted the World Cup in 1974, and once as manager of the national team in 1990, and who has also won three European Cups (now Champions League) in a row with Bayern Munich, criticized England’s Fabio Capello, and stated that England had ‘gone backwards’ since his introduction as manager.

Beckenbauer is quoted as saying,

“What I saw of the English against the USA had very little to do with football. It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush. I am not sure if the England coach Fabio Capello can still change much there.  The English are being punished for the fact that there are very few English players in the Premier League as clubs use better foreign players from all over the world.”

Big talk from Beckenbauer after the Nationalelf thrashed Australia 4-0 in their opening game. If USA meet up with Germany in the round of 16, Beckenbauer will surely fancy Die Mannschaft’s chances.

Beckenbauer helped organize the 2006 World Cup which was held in Germany, and he holds legendary status in his native country. Beckenbauer made 103 appearances for West Germany, and 427 with Bayern Munich before moving on to the New York Cosmos.