David Beckham open to offer from Roy Hodgson to join England set-up
Saturday 6 September 2014 15:37, UK
Former England captain David Beckham says he would welcome the opportunity to join Roy Hodgson's team in some capacity.
A man capped on 115 occasions by his country, many of those as skipper, is prepared to listen to offers a year on from announcing his retirement from professional football.
Having graced the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan and Real Madrid over the course of a distinguished career, his input could be vital in reviving England’s fortunes.
I only retired just over a year ago and obviously I’ve been busy with stuff I’ve been doing but, if I can help in any way for the future of England and the future of English football, I will.
Hodgson has already added ex-United defender Gary Neville to his ranks and may be tempted to bring another England stalwart into the set-up.
Beckham has prior experience of life on the sidelines with the Three Lions having taken the chance to work alongside Fabio Capello at the 2010 World Cup.
He says no fresh approach for his services has been made as yet, but concedes he would be ‘very proud’ if Hodgson was to find a role for him.
Beckham told the Daily Telegraph: “I only retired just over a year ago and obviously I’ve been busy with stuff I’ve been doing but, if I can help in any way for the future of England and the future of English football, I will.
“That’s one of the things I’m very proud of - to actually come to the end of my career and be an ambassador for my country around the world.
“If there was any way in the future, when I’m not as busy, that I can help then I would be very proud of that.”
Beckham has also been discussing events at Old Trafford over recent weeks, with a product of United’s academy system ‘sad’ to have seen Danny Welbeck allowed to move on by Louis van Gaal and link up with Premier League rivals Arsenal.
The 39-year-old added: “When you are a young player at Man United, when you are there from a young age and you are home-grown, you feel that from the fans. You have a really special bond and association with them, you really feel that you are their player. That is what is special.
“It kind of felt that, when we were successful, when we were winning European Championships, leagues and FA Cups, it felt really personal from the fans.
“It feels like how I feel when I see my son score a goal, or how my parents felt when they saw me score a goal or win a championship. You feel like you have 75,000 parents watching you in the stands. That’s how Manchester United have always been.
“The manager knows what he is doing and he has his own vision. I am sure he will keep the tradition but seeing Danny leave is obviously sad because Man United have always been about bringing home-grown young talent through.
“In my mind he is a very young and exciting talent for England. I think he is a great buy for Arsenal.”
Watch highlights of England's opening European Qualifier away to Switzerland on Sky Sports 5 HD at 10pm on Monday night.
