Former Germany player Kirsten proposes Franz Beckenbauer Academy

Former German international Ulf Kirsten has proposed to name the national federation DFB campus after Franz Beckenbauer as suggestions on how to honour the late football icon continued.

"I would consider it a great idea to rename the new DFB campus in Frankfurt to Franz Beckenbauer Academy," Kirsten told the t-online portal on Thursday.

"A stadium with his name would also be a good honour but is not easy these days because of the sponsors."

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld had previously proposed to name the club's stadium after their most famous player who died on Sunday at age 78.

Known as Der Kaiser (The Emperor) and Lichtgestalt (shining light), Beckenbauer redefined the sweeper role during his career.

He won many titles with Bayern and was their president in later years. He won the World Cup as a player and as a coach, and brought the 2006 World Cup to Germany.

"I am sure that the DFB and Bayern will come up with something to honour Franz Beckenbauer in a fitting way," Kirsten said.

The former forward also suggested a statue of Beckenbauer next to that of his late long-time Bayern and Germany team-mate Gerd Müller at the Munich stadium.

Sepp Maier, the Bayern and Germany goalkeeper during the Beckenbauer era, struck a similar line in a column for Kicker sports magazine.

"Franz definitely deserves a statue, he has done so much for German football as a player, coach and official," Maier said.

Other proposals for a Beckenbauer legacy have included naming the German Cup after him.

Bayern will hold a memorial service for Beckenbauer in their stadium on January 19. This weekend, there will be minute silence at all games to commemorate him, and players will wear black armbands.