Garber - We don't need Becks

MLS chief wants midfielder to stay but league doesn't need him to

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 7th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Garber - We don't need Becks

Beckham: Garber says MLS can survive without star

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MLS commissioner Don Garber hopes that David Beckham returns to LA Galaxy next season but indicates that the league can survive without him.

The Galaxy have yet to finish their season, with the club already sealing their place in the play-offs, but already talk over the midfielder's immediate future has begun.

The England international is said to be close to agreeing a loan switch to AC Milan during the MLS close season in a similar move to that which saw Beckham temporarily move to the San Siro last year.

The 34-year-old is keen to stay in the forefront of England coach Fabio Capello's mind and maintain his fitness ahead of the World Cup next summer.

Garber hopes the former Manchester United star sees out his five-year contract with the Galaxy but believes the MLS can survive without him.

"I don't know what to expect but my hope is that David sticks around and continues to play and comes back at some point," he told Sky Sports News.

"We don't need David, we want David and I think David has been a valuable player for the league and has helped the popularity of our sport and has helped the growth of interest in MLS.

"He has been around for three years I'm not sure if the fourth or fifth year are any more valuable than the first second or third I think we need a system where we have more David Beckham's and that's what we are going to look forward to."