Tuesday 23 February 2016 15:16, UK
David Beckham says he is keen to see Jose Mourinho back in the Premier League "as soon as possible".
The former Manchester United midfielder, who won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League during his time at Old Trafford, said Mourinho's sacking at Chelsea earlier this season did not diminish his reputation in the game.
Mourinho has been linked with taking over from Louis van Gaal at United, with Inter Milan director Bedy Moratti - sister of former club president Massimo Moratti - saying the Portuguese was "going to Manchester" last week.
Beckham told talkSPORT: "Jose leaving Chelsea, who would have expected that after the season they had last year? It doesn't make him a bad manager. He is still one of the best managers and I hope he comes back to the Premier League as soon as possible.
"The Premier League is the Premier League for the great players we bring in, the great teams, the money, the fans and the great characters that we have as managers. You want to see managers like that in the game. "
Despite reports linking Mourinho to United, Beckham insists Van Gaal can still have a positive impact at the club, and acknowledged that it was never going to be an easy job for anyone to take on.
"He is an experienced manager with a great reputation in the game. Sometimes it takes time. It is not easy being manager of Man United," Beckham said. "We have to look at results, we have to look at the way we play, we have to listen to fans - the people that really matter at the club - and I only hear great things about him as a person, as a manager, as a coach.
"I have met him once before and he treated me unbelievably well. He is manager of Manchester United so there is always going to be criticism, but at the end of the season let's see what happens."
