David Beckham has revealed the fallout of his move away from Manchester United two decades ago as he moved to Real Madrid.
The former Manchester United winger, who is now involved in the running of MLS side Inter Miami, has spoken on the record about his departure from the club.
The Englishman’s time at United, as well as his international career, has been explained in depth in a new documentary around David Beckham’s career simply titled ‘Beckham’, which is on Netflix.
The 48-year-old spoke on the Stick To Football podcast about his decision to leave Old Trafford and the fallout that brought.
Beckham’s regret
Speaking on the podcast, Beckham revealed he never wanted to leave the club but he eventually did in 2003 when Real Madrid came calling.
“I didn’t want to leave Man United at the time [in 2003],” Beckham revealed.
“We just won the league again, but all of a sudden I got a phone call to be told that United had agreed a deal and that was the end of it.”
Beckham’s rather shocking revelation that he seemingly had little say in his decision to leave the club once again highlights the power that Sir Alex Ferguson had and wielded said power in this decision.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s snub
As well as this revelation, Beckham also revealed how he couldn’t get in touch with the former iconic manager as he was on holiday.
“Even trying to speak to the manager after that, he didn’t want to talk to me,” Beckham revealed in a surprising revelation.
“It wasn’t that it was out of spite. He was on holiday, he didn’t want to be contacted, he made his decision and that was the end of it.”
Ferguson wielded the axe on one of the club’s greatest-ever players and this highlights one of the former United’s bosses greatest messages, which could be echoed today that the United bus stops for nobody, which Beckham found out in 2003.