Arise Sir David Beckham by Gwen Russell

Author:Gwen Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781843584353
Publisher: John Blake Publishing
Published: 2011-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

CAPTAIN BECKS

As Sven-Göran Eriksson moved in as the new England manager, speculation intensified as to whether he would keep David on as captain. Some of the other players had reservations, thinking that, at 25, David was still too young for the job. Eriksson went to Manchester to watch United play early in the year, but ironically David had been given a rest day and was attending a music awards ceremony in the South of France. He and Victoria sported matching black outfits with silver crucifixes for the night. Eriksson was unperturbed.

‘I knew on Friday that David would not be playing but it doesn’t matter because as a player I know him,’ he said. ‘And it doesn’t surprise me that he is being rested. Manchester United want to win the Champions League, the Premiership and the FA Cup, and it is impossible for one player to play in all 60 or 70 games. You have to do these things. Alex Ferguson told me a couple of seasons ago that things like this are one of the secrets of United’s success.’

He was guarded, though, as to whether David would retain the role of captain. ‘I don’t know about that. I will wait until I get all the players together,’ he said. ‘I haven’t spoken to David yet or any of the players.’

The speculation did nothing to dent David’s popularity. He signed another sponsorship deal, this time with Police sunglasses, worth £1 million, and promptly splashed out on a £185,000 Lamborghini Diablo GT, adding to an already extensive collection. (In later years Sir Elton John was heard to remark, ‘I keep telling David, buy paintings, not cars.’) He then returned to the football field, helping United to a 6–1 win against Arsenal, prompting more comment about being England’s most gifted footballer.

Meanwhile, England’s most gifted manager – Sir Alex – was preparing for retirement. It is a mark of quite how much relations deteriorated in just two years that his most vocal fan, and one who wished him to stay on, was none other than Beckham himself. ‘It’s impossible for anyone to try to influence Sir Alex, but I certainly want him to stay,’ he said. ‘You only have to look at his track record to know what he has done for Manchester United and what a loss he will be when he eventually quits. He has been the only boss I have played for since I signed for United when I was 16. It has been an absolute dream to work with the greatest manager we have ever seen in this country. I have only to look at my collection of medals and England caps to appreciate the part he has played in my career.’

It was a typically generous remark of David’s and he was to have his wish fulfilled. Sir Alex did agree to stay on after all. Whether David later came to regret what he said is unlikely, but certainly, had Ferguson left when he originally intended to, David might well still be at United today.

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