London: David Beckham’s longevity and his ability to reinvent himself were ‘absolutely incredible’, retiring Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has said.
Beckham and Ferguson, who were synonymously linked with Manchester United until the former England captain moved to Real Madrid, both announced in the past 10 days they would retire from soccer at the end of the current season.
The 71-year-old Ferguson’s final game in charge after 26 years at Old Trafford will be today while the 38-year-old Beckham will retire as a player after Paris St Germain’s French Ligue finale against FC Lorient on May 26.
“You talk about longevity and in many ways reinventing himself, it has been absolutely incredible,” Ferguson was reported as saying by the BBC on Friday.
“When he went to America there wasn’t a person in this place who really thought he could have a career,” Ferguson added about Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy in 2007.
“Yet he went on and still played for his country, he played for AC Milan in European ties and he played for PSG in European ties, and I don’t think anyone could have imagined that.
“He had unbelievable stamina ... he could run all day, and that has allowed him to stay in the game at that kind of level, playing for his country in his mid 30s.” Beckham joined Manchester United as an 11-year-old and went on to play 11 years at the club under Ferguson, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in a trophy-laden career.
The midfielder, who described Ferguson as a father figure, had a falling out in 2003 when a boot kicked by the manager in the team’s dressing room following a defeat struck Beckham in the face and the player moved to Real Madrid later that year.
“I think he’s picked the right time (to retire),” Ferguson added. “He’s won the league again with PSG and he is exactly the same as me, he has plenty of things to do.
“He is an amazing person.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson has criticised neighbours Manchester City for sacking Roberto Mancini.
The Italian boss was sacked on Monday having failed to retain the Premier League title he won last season and after losing the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic.
Mancini took out a full-page advertisement in the Manchester Evening News yesterday, thanking fans for their support during his time in charge.
The former Inter Milan manager said in the ad: “Manchester City Supporters 3 unforgettable years, you will always be in my heart, ciao, Roberto Mancini.”
Ferguson, who will retire following today’s game at West Bromwich Albion, rallied behind his former rival and questioned the logic behind sacking a manager who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his three years in charge.
“It was quite amazing. He has won the FA Cup, been in the final, second in the league and won the league and it’s not good enough?” he told reporters.
“I was surprised, but actually no, you can’t say you are surprised not with some owners today. You can’t be surprised, but I still don’t think it was right.”
Ferguson will be replaced by David Moyes, who will leave Everton at the end of the season after 11 years in charge.
While Ferguson says Moyes will not be distracted by the situation at Manchester City, he will need to adapt to working at a club with a larger global appeal.
“What happens at Man City won’t have any bearing on David,” Ferguson said.
“He’s got the structure here and he’s got the experience. He’s had to handle things at Everton that are more difficult probably. I don’t think that matters.
“I think the enormity of the club will be the most difficult aspect, he will soon realise that anyway.
“The global brand and number of sponsors we have, he has to fit into that. I don’t think that’s an issue though and the most important thing is the team.” AFP
