Franz Beckenbauer is giving up his seat on Fifa’s executive committee to devote more time to his family. -AP Photo

FRANKFURT: German football great Franz Beckenbauer is giving up his seat on Fifa’s executive committee to devote more time to his family.

The former World Cup winner as captain and coach said Thursday he would not run again in 2011. In a statement, the 65-year-old Beckenbauer said he wanted to travel less and spend more time with his family.

“I have had a very good time with my colleagues on the Fifa board, at Uefa, and I have a very friendly relationship with (Fifa President) Sepp Blatter and (Uefa President) Michel Platini. I ask for understanding over my decision,” Beckenbauer said.

Beckenbauer’s four-year term runs out in the spring. His last function will be to take part in the election of World Cup hosts for 2018 and 2022 in Zurich on December 2.

Beckenbauer claimed the seat on Fifa’s 24-member executive committee as a representative of Uefa. His seat on the European federation will be filled in March.

Beckenbauer’s withdrawal leaves German football federation president Theo Zwanziger as the only German representative in a major football body, as Uefa executive committee member.

After an illustrious career as captain of Germany’s team that won the 1974 World Cup title, Beckenbauer was the coach of the 1990 champion team. He also headed the organizing committee of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Beckenbauer stepped down as Bayern Munich president one year ago and has said he wants to scale down his public functions.