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Ancelotti tips Beckham for management

Carlo Ancelotti made David Beckham captain of Paris Saint-Germain © PA Photos

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Carlo Ancelotti has tipped David Beckham to make the unlikely transition into football management.

Beckham, 38, announced his retirement from football on Thursday with Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win against Brest on Saturday set to be his last game, although the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy player is yet to confirm what his next move will be.

"Today he finished as an old player, tomorrow he will be perhaps a young manager," Ancelotti told reporters. "I'm proud of having coached a great player and professional who gave a beautiful image to the game of football. I respect him."

Beckham started the game and was named captain of the Ligue 1 champions, a move Ancelotti made in tribute to the veteran. And his 82nd minute substitution was greeted with a deafening ovation and warm embraces with numerous team-mates.

"It was the right thing to do to choose Beckham as captain for his last match," Ancelotti added. "All the players backed the decision. Beckham will have a lovely memory of this night."

However, Bekcham's former England manager Kevin Keegan disagrees with Ancelotti's assertion that he could go into management, claiming an ambassadorial role might be better suited.

"I don't think he really sees that (managing) as being where he wants to go, but you never know," Keegan told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.

"When you're like David Beckham, he may get an offer at some time that just presses the right buttons. One thing is he'll certainly be able to stand in front of players and they'll listen to him and respect him for what he's done.

"I don't think he wants to do coaching, but if you're talking about being around like Bobby Charlton at Manchester United I suppose, yes, definitely there's a role there."

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