Franz Beckenbauer is ready to relinquish his lucrative advertising contracts if he decides to launch a bid to succeed Lennart Johansson as president of UEFA.
Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as captain in 1974 and again as coach in 1990, has been a hugely popular figure in his homeland and his reputation has ensured a constant stream of advertising contracts.
However, he accepts that he will have to give up such work if he opts to run for the UEFA presidency.
“As president of UEFA one must be independent,” Beckenbauer said in an interview with Capital magazine.
“That would be the end of my career in advertising.”
Beckenbauer, who heads the organising committee for the World Cup, has said he will bid for the UEFA presidency only if Johansson decides against running again.
France’s Michel Platini has also stated his intention to run for the job.
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