• London Olympics 2012

Beckham could be GB coach - Coe

ESPN staff
January 3, 2011
David Beckham and Lord Sebastian Coe were heavily involved in England's bid for the 2018 World Cup © Getty Images
Enlarge

David Beckham could play a role at the London 2012 Olympics, according to organising chairman Sebastian Coe.

With England having missed out on the chance to host the World Cup in 2018, Coe is keen to have big names appear in the Great Britain team. Although Olympic football is played as an under-23 tournament, three over-age players are allowed, and Coe is hopeful Beckham will feature alongside Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

"We are not going to have a big international football tournament on domestic soil for some time so we want to use it to inspire a generation of young players," Coe told BBC Radio 5Live.

"It is an under-23 tournament but you are allowed to play three over-age players and just picking out names that could be Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard towards the end of their career or David Beckham - or even David Beckham as a coach, though I have gone way beyond my brief saying that!"

Coe remains convinced that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson should be the Great Britain coach, but he admits it is not his decision to make.

"It is not for me to decide, it is for the FA and the British Olympic Association," Coe said. "I personally feel Sir Alex Ferguson is the iconic face of British football over the last 25 years and I can't think of anyone I would rather have."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices