Braun was not afraid of making unpopular decisions. The public viewed him as a cheerful character but behind the scenes he was strong-willed. Uli Stein and Steffan Effenberg know this all too well: The duo were sent home from the 1986 and 1994 World Cup early. He wanted to bring the Germany team back early from the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France because of the behaviour of the supporters.
Beckenbauer reprimanded
One of Braun’s best traits was his ability to look at topics from every viewpoint. His lateral thinking aided him to make a number of difficult decisions throughout his time in office. His network of associates within UEFA helped Germany win the rights to host the 2006 World Cup.
He wasn’t afraid of the big names: Franz Beckenbauer was made aware of this during the 1986 World Cup. Braun was head delegate at the tournament. “Come in and sit down,” Braun said to the head coach. “There was a few things he needed to hear from me,” remembers Braun. The “Kaiser” was given a dressing down by Braun.
Unity created
One of Braun’s biggest strengths was his ability to create unity. He brought amateur and professional football closer together. These links continued onto a personal level, with the former DFB President being considered a friend of his hometown club SV Breinig.
Another coup was the co-operation he created between the DFB and various foundations. His personal friendship with Arnold Poll is still important to the organisation today. Every Euro the DFB spends on international projects is matched by Poll.
The Deutsche Fußball-Bund (DFB) would like to wish its Honorary President a happy birthday – Egidius Braun turns 90 today. A birthday celebration in Hennef was attended by a number of figures from the sporting world as well as friends and family. Current President Wolfgang Niersbach made the opening speech: “Egidius Braun continues to be held in high esteem across the globe, which can be seen by the fact Lennart Johannson and other important figures have attended this event.”
"There’s more to football than the result"
Egidius Braun is delighted to receive a visit – he sits where he’s spent many of the last decades working on raising the profile of German football: At his desk. A number of pictures hang up on the wall: Egidius Braun with Angela Merkel, with Johannes Rau and other sporting and political greats. The "Orden Mexicana del Águilar Azteca,” the highest honour awarded in Mexico, also hangs on the wall. Braun received it in 2013.
Braun turns 90 on Friday and although his life was surrounded by football, he knows that it isn’t everything. Despite this, one of his famous phrases is “there’s more to football than the result.” Braun used the global popularity of the sport for good.
Social Initiatives during 1986 World Cup
Braun gave the visitor a tour of his house despite not being in the best of health: “Music and art” are his passions away from football. In a basket on the floor you can find testimonials associated with the programme created by Rudi Völler and Braun during the 1986 World Cup. The initiative, which was the foundation of further social work campaigns set up by the DFB, bears his name.
Pioneering decisions
During his stint as DFB President (1992-2001), Braun made some pioneering sporting decisions. “I didn’t actually want the role, but they wanted me to take on the role after Hermann Neuberger passed away,” explained Braun. He was financially independent and was able to give his all to the job thanks to the unwavering support of his wife Marianne.
Braun was not afraid of making unpopular decisions. The public viewed him as a cheerful character but behind the scenes he was strong-willed. Uli Stein and Steffan Effenberg know this all too well: The duo were sent home from the 1986 and 1994 World Cup early. He wanted to bring the Germany team back early from the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France because of the behaviour of the supporters.
Beckenbauer reprimanded
One of Braun’s best traits was his ability to look at topics from every viewpoint. His lateral thinking aided him to make a number of difficult decisions throughout his time in office. His network of associates within UEFA helped Germany win the rights to host the 2006 World Cup.
He wasn’t afraid of the big names: Franz Beckenbauer was made aware of this during the 1986 World Cup. Braun was head delegate at the tournament. “Come in and sit down,” Braun said to the head coach. “There was a few things he needed to hear from me,” remembers Braun. The “Kaiser” was given a dressing down by Braun.
Unity created
One of Braun’s biggest strengths was his ability to create unity. He brought amateur and professional football closer together. These links continued onto a personal level, with the former DFB President being considered a friend of his hometown club SV Breinig.
Another coup was the co-operation he created between the DFB and various foundations. His personal friendship with Arnold Poll is still important to the organisation today. Every Euro the DFB spends on international projects is matched by Poll.
