World Cup Winning Shirts #2
West Germany 1974: As simple as black and white
The 1974 World Cup final was contested by the wildly talented Dutch and West German teams. The former will be remembered for the magic of Johan Cruyff, whose ability to glide past defenders has become legendary. Yet there was ability running throughout the squad, from Johan Neeskens to coach Rinus Michels, the author of ‘Total Football’, a philosophy that required every player to be comfortable on the ball, anywhere on the pitch.
West Germany’s equally impressive squad was brimming with players hitting their prime — such as Gerd Mueller and Berti Vogts. Yet, it is undeniable that their captain and central defender, Franz Beckenbauer, was a totemic presence. He would go onto lift the trophy, and in so doing ‘Der Kaiser’ would be indelibly linked to the shirt that is the second to feature in this series of best World Cup jerseys.
Designed by long-term partner (and dominant manufacturer of the day) adidas, the piece was all-white with a black collar, cuffs, and crest, making it strikingly simple. That every player also wore the same black and white striped boots finessed the look. The kit was completed by fetching sky-blue tracksuit tops — with breast pockets, no less! The look was both elegant and effective, much like the West German team itself.
West Germany beat Holland 2–1 in the final to win the tournament. Cruyff sadly boycotted the 1978 tournament (over threats made to his family); without him Holland would once again lose in the final, this time to Argentina. He eventually became a coaching phenomenon, notably with Barcelona, where he introduced a style reminiscent of Michels’. Beckenbauer would also switch to management — where he enjoyed success to (almost) rival his playing days. Alongside Brazil’s Mário Zagallo he is one of only two men to have won the World Cup as both a player and coach.
