By Stephen Fry
Beckenbauer backs England hopes
Franz Beckenbauer believes England are the "best team in Europe" - but insists Brazil are favourites to win the World Cup in Germany this summer.
The German legend was in London to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of his visits to all countries taking part in the 2006 tournament.
He said: "England's defence is excellent, and they had only one loss in qualification.
"My personal top favourite is Brazil, they are full of world-class players."
Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player and manager and is chairman of the organising committee for the 2006 tournament, has been impressed with England.
He said: "For me England are still the best team in Europe. It would be great for them to win it 40 years after their last one."
And even though he tips Brazil as winners, he admitted: "In 2002, I said France and Argentina were my favourites and both went home after the group stages."
Beckenbauer is less certain about his own country's chances under coach Jurgen Klinsmann, saying: "It is a young team, and I am really curious how they are doing.
"Two years of exhibition games are easy, but to play a World Cup is tremendous pressure - and can the young players take this?"
Beckenbauer believes the confirmation that coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is leaving after the World Cup will not affect England's chances.
He announced he would step down as his country's coach several months before leading them to victory in the 1990 tournament.
Beckenbauer said: "The players are playing for themselves and the team, they are not playing for the coach. I do not think it will affect the England way to play.
"It is normal. At a club level or in a national side, the players play for themselves, their family, their income. They do not care who is the manager."
And he admitted the top job in English football remains a coveted position.
He said: "For me, it is maybe the best job in the world.
"It must be the aim of every coach in the world to coach the England national team.
For all the latest World Cup prices please visit www.wagerweb.com
Beckenbauer backs England hopes
Franz Beckenbauer believes England are the "best team in Europe" - but insists Brazil are favourites to win the World Cup in Germany this summer.
The German legend was in London to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of his visits to all countries taking part in the 2006 tournament.
He said: "England's defence is excellent, and they had only one loss in qualification.
"My personal top favourite is Brazil, they are full of world-class players."
Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player and manager and is chairman of the organising committee for the 2006 tournament, has been impressed with England.
He said: "For me England are still the best team in Europe. It would be great for them to win it 40 years after their last one."
And even though he tips Brazil as winners, he admitted: "In 2002, I said France and Argentina were my favourites and both went home after the group stages."
Beckenbauer is less certain about his own country's chances under coach Jurgen Klinsmann, saying: "It is a young team, and I am really curious how they are doing.
"Two years of exhibition games are easy, but to play a World Cup is tremendous pressure - and can the young players take this?"
Beckenbauer believes the confirmation that coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is leaving after the World Cup will not affect England's chances.
He announced he would step down as his country's coach several months before leading them to victory in the 1990 tournament.
Beckenbauer said: "The players are playing for themselves and the team, they are not playing for the coach. I do not think it will affect the England way to play.
"It is normal. At a club level or in a national side, the players play for themselves, their family, their income. They do not care who is the manager."
And he admitted the top job in English football remains a coveted position.
He said: "For me, it is maybe the best job in the world.
"It must be the aim of every coach in the world to coach the England national team.
For all the latest World Cup prices please visit www.wagerweb.com
