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David Beckham talks football, possibly coaching Man United and running a club

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 David BeckhamPicture: Lucky Nxumalo
David BeckhamPicture: Lucky Nxumalo

David Beckham was in South Africa this week to promote his ever-growing business empire. City Press caught up with the former football star and despite focusing on Brand Beckham, he was kind enough to talk sport, coaching and owning a club.

Beckham said that playing in some of the biggest cities in the world was an experience that he never thought possible, especially considering he only ever wanted to play for Manchester United.

“I’d supported Man United from the age of 4. It was the only team I ever wanted to play for and I played there for 13 years, from 15 years old,” the famous number 7 said with a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

So why did he leave?

“That move happened at first without me really having a choice. So obviously leaving Man United at the time was that the mansger (Sir Alex Fergurson) felt that it was the right time for me to move on as a player. I wasn’t expecting it, but that obviously made me make a decision on where I wanted to go.”

Beckham and Ferguson’s relationship deteriorated rapidly after the latter kicked a boot that struck Beckham just above his left eye. Soon after, the star winger swapped the red of Manchester for the white of Real Madrid.

“The only place I really wanted to go was Real Madrid – to another one of the biggest clubs in the world to play with the best players in the game, while playing in front of the great fans and an amazing stadium with an amazing history,” he said.

Since that move Beckham has played in Los Angeles for L.A. Galaxy, in Paris for Paris Saint-Germain and in Milan for Inter Milan, saying that he has been “lucky to experience different cultures and leagues”.

But would he ever go into coaching or managing?

“Someone asked if I would become Manchester United manager if the opportunity comes up, and obviously I love Manchester United, so in the future who knows,” he said coyly.

“I never say never in things because I’ve learnt over the years that things change very quickly in life and anything can happen.”

“I think the position I am in at the moment I don’t see me becoming a coach or a manager, but in 5 to 10 years, who knows,” Beckham quipped.

And the position he is in is quite rare for a player of his pedigree. Beckham has successfully transitioned from sports star to business and brand mogul with numerous partnerships and endorsement deals. His latest and most talked about venture is owning a club in Miami in the US.

“For the last four years we’ve been working really hard to make it happen and finally it’s happening, and it’s all down to hard work and persistence,” he said.

Beckham is not the only owner of the club, which was recently awarded rights to compete in America’s premier league MLS, but he certainly is the face and driving force behind it.

“I’ve been playing the game and watching the game all my life and now to say I’ve gone from being a player to an owner and creating a team from the ground up, who can do that these days in sport?” he said.

For now, though, he has decisions to make.

“Picking players, picking colours, picking logos, designing the stadium, there’s a lot to do. But I am excited and lucky to be in the position I am in now,” he ended off with a twinkle in his eye.

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