Kelley L Cox – US PRESSWIRE
Former England captain, David Beckham, could make an unexpected move to French Ligue 2 side, AS Monaco. Beckham, who has confirmed he will leave MLS side, LA Galaxy has been the subject to speculation over which club he will move to next. Beckham’s last game for the Galaxy will be in Sunday’s MLS Cup final vs the Houston Dynamo.
Initial rumors had him linked with a move to Australian side, Melbourne Heart, and Premier League side, QPR, now under Harry Redknapp‘s management. But having been a Manchester United fan his whole life, Beckham has stated in the past that he wouldn’t make a Premier League return to anyone other than his former side.
Beckham was believed to be very open to the idea of a move to the South of France, although a recent interview had him playing down the idea, but one would suspect he’s not looking to give too much away just yet. The lifestyle of glamour in France is one that the Beckham family would be expected to be keen to adopt – hence the talk of a move to the recently rich, Paris Saint Germain. However, game time with the French giants would surely be harder to come by, given their high ambitions domestically and in Europe. So it would be understandable that Beckham would see the move to Monaco not only a positive life-style change but it would also increase the longevity of his career.
Monaco, who were relegated last season play in the 2nd tier of French football, Ligue 2 – a large decrease in fortunes, having been in the 2004 Champions League final; which was a 3-0 defeat to Jose Mourinho‘s FC Porto.
But under the stewardship of former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, they now sit atop their division.
The Monaco life-style would be a near perfect fit for the glamour and attraction that the Beckham family have attached to themselves. A principality with money, sun, a bit more money and plenty of people with money could well be the next chapter in Beckham’s career.
However, the prospect of a move to Australia could also be a realistic one. Beckham could, much like his MLS move, be wishing to raise the profile of soccer in a nation where it isn’t as loved as it is in his native England and with former England team-mate, Emile Heskey and Italian legend, Alessandro Del Piero having made recent switches to Australia he may be tempted to help out. A move to Australia would certainly guarantee him games given the quality of Melbourne’s squad, but is it too low profile a move?
Having started his career at Manchester United, Beckham has since played at Preston North End, Real Madrid, AC Milan and the LA Galaxy, it appears the Formula 1 crazed location, Monaco may be pole position to capture Beckham, as in his own words he needs a “new footballing challenge.” But for the minute the footballing world must wait and see.
Stowe Gregory @stowegregory
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