The "Kaiser" Franz Beckenbauer wore No.5 on the pitch, FC Bayern was the Munich native’s sporting home, and now the memory of him will be honoured in a special way and for all time as the area at the Allianz Arena to the south and west of Werner-Heisenberg-Allee will be called Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz in future - effective one year after the anniversary of Beckenbauer's death on 7 January 2024 - meaning that the home ground of the German record champions will then have the address Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz 5.
Heidi Beckenbauer: "Our whole family is delighted that Franz's memory is being honoured in this special way. Franz is a son of Munich, who was always proud of his home city. FC Bayern is the club where he felt at home, as a player, as a decision-maker, overall as a person. I know this honour would've meant a lot to him. Thank you for this wonderful gesture."
Herbert Hainer, FC Bayern president: “Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz with the house number 5 at the Allianz Arena - that is a befitting address for FC Bayern’s Kaiser. Franz Beckenbauer is at home in this club - dahoam, as we say here in Bavaria. This honour will see his memory live on from game to game.”
Jan-Christian Dreesen, FC Bayern CEO: “In future, we will play at Franz-Beckenbauer-Platz 5, which shows the bond between Franz and FC Bayern for all eternity. We would like to thank the City of Munich for not only paying tribute to Franz Beckenbauer's legacy, but also for agreeing to our proposal for the name. It's great that the Kaiser now has a permanent place in Munich. Just like our fans sing at every game: No one can keep good friends apart.”
Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich: “The naming of a street is the highest honour that the City of Munich can bestow posthumously and a sign of the deep respect and appreciation that we have for Franz Beckenbauer. He is one of the greatest sportsmen our city has ever produced. With his sporting success and his commitment to football, he left a lasting mark on Germany's sporting landscape. His calm, humorous manner and his way of expressing himself will forever remain part of the Munich way of life.”