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David Beckham’s former soccer manager claims he ruined his chances of being a top player when he fell for Victoria Beckham.
Alex Ferguson, who managed the former England player during his time at Manchester United from 1993 to 2003, insists the 38-year-old player changed when he started dating the former Spice Girl and “made it his mission” to become famous.
In an extract from his new book, Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography, Fergie wrote, “He lost the chance to become an absolute top-dog player . . . He never attained the level of an absolute top player . . . He started to make decisions that rendered it hard for him to develop into a really great footballer.
“That was the disappointment for me. There was no animosity between us, just disappointment for me. Dejection. I would look at him and think, ‘What are you doing, son?’
“David was the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game.”
Speaking at a press conference to promote his book, Alex added, “The big problem for me [was] he fell in love with Victoria and that changed everything.”
Alex also claims David - who ran out for England 115 times and went on to play for Spanish giants Real Madrid after leaving Manchester United - thought he was bigger than the manager during his final few years at the club.
The 71-year-old Scot recalls one incident before a warm-up on a match day when David refused to take his beanie hat off before going onto the pitch because he wanted to wait until kickoff to unveil his new haircut.
Alex claims David “went berserk” when he insisted he remove his headgear.
He wrote, “At that time I was starting to despair of him. I could see him being swallowed up by the media or publicity agents.
“The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager he had to go.
“David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson . . . That was the death knell for him.”
Alex also recalled an infamous incident in 2003 when he accidentally kicked a boot at David’s head in the dressing room when they were arguing after a game, which led to David requiring stitches just above his eye.
Alex wrote, “David swore. I moved towards him and, as I approached, I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye.
“Of course he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him. ‘Sit down,’ I said. ‘You’ve let your team down. You can argue as much as you like.’
“I called him in the next day to go through the video and he still wouldn’t accept his mistake. As he sat listening to me he didn't say a word. Not a word.
“The next day the story was in the press. In public an Alice band highlighted the damage inflicted by the boot.
“It was in those days that I told the board David had to go.” Bang! Showbizz Share your thoughts:
