Beckham's exact words
Friday, 03 March, 2006
Here are the exact words from David Beckham on the next England Head Coach on Tuesday.
Further to inaccurate reports this week claiming that England captain David Beckham has said that the next England manager must have experience of managing in the Champions League, The FA today print his exact words. It has been alleged that Beckham has ruled out any potential candidates who have not managed at Champions League level.
However, the transcript below clearly states that in response to a question on whether the manager should have experience of the Champions League, he simply stated that the next England manager has "to be able to handle big games - like in Champions League and World Cups. That decision will be made by The FA and not me".
David Beckham did not say Champions League experience was a must requirement, or rule out any individuals - contrary to reports.
This is what was said:
Journalist: "Do you think players should be asked about who to appoint as the next England coach?"
David Beckham: "No. Because I don’t think it’s something to do with the players, The FA will decide who will be the right man. If they come to the players then great, we’d appreciate that. But at the end of the day The FA will make their decision and I don’t think it’s up to the players."
Journalist: "Do you know who you would like to take over?"
David Beckham: "No. I think there are so many great managers out there, English and European. It's a hard decision because you’ve got to get it right.
"Thankfully it’s down to The FA.
"Anyone who is surrounded by football should realise what a big team and a big country like ours needs in a manager. We’ve got that in Sven but he’s leaving. You need that passion. Whether people have said Sven hasn’t got it, he has but shows it in a different way. That’s what you need in a manager.
"You need the confidence in him to go out and pick the right players and also to be ruthless. That’s what we need in a new manager."
Journalist: "Does the next manager have to have had experience of Champions League?"
David Beckham: "He has to have a certain amount of experience of course, that’s part and parcel of being a top flight manager, to be able to handle big games like in Champions League and World Cups. That decision will be made by the FA and not me."