Sir Alex Ferguson the father figure responsible for my success in football says David Beckham
David Beckham has heaped praise on his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson crediting with making him into the player and man he is today.
The man behind the player: Sir Alex Ferguson has been instrumental in David Beckham's success according to the former England midfielder Photo: GETTY IMAGES
12:33PM GMT 04 Nov 2011
1 Comment"The boss deserves almost all the credit [for how my career has turned out]," Beckham said in special Ferguson tribute magazine created by United Review.
Beckham spent ten years under Ferguson at Manchester United before being sold to Real Madrid for £25m in 2003.
"It's been amazing. But that's what happens when you have stability, and a man that is so passionate and hungry, who has the love for one club that he has," Beckham said.
Beckham credits his mother and father as well as Ferguson for setting him on his stellar career path.
"It’s 50/50 with my parents – that’s how highly I regard the boss. My parents were the ones that brought me up and helped get me to a certain level in my career, and the manager is the one that took me to a whole different level of playing for Manchester United and for England.
"He was the one that gave me my chance as a young kid. He gave me my debut at Brighton [in September 1992] and my Champions League debut against Galatasaray when I played at Old Trafford and scored my first goal for the club.
"He’s the sole reason why I was successful at Manchester United and successful in my career.
"You see so many young players fall by the wayside but under the boss that was never going to happen. He looked after us all and gave us everything we needed to become the players and the men that we are today."
As the 69 year-old prepares to celebrate his 25th anniversary at the club, the former England captain has paid tribute to the impact that he has had on his career.
"It [spending 25 years at a club like United] just doesn’t happen in football anymore. That loyalty and respect for just one club is unbelievable and it’s not something you see these days," explained the midfielder.
"It says a lot about Manchester United as a club and a lot about the manager when you consider how long he’s been there, and just look at the success we’ve had over the years. It’s been amazing. But that’s what happens when you have stability .
Meanwhile, in what could be his final season with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham set up the first goal and then won a penalty to lead his team into the MLS Western Conference final with a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls on Thursday.
The 36-year-old midfielder delivered the corner for Mike Magee to head in the equaliser in the 42nd minute.
He was then shoved by New York defender Roy Miller in the penalty box, allowing Landon Donovan to score the winner from the spot in the 74th.
Beckham, who is coming to the end of his contract with MLS side LA Galaxy, has recently been linked with a move to French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
"He’s the sole reason why I was successful at Manchester United and successful in my career.
"You see so many young players fall by the wayside but under the boss that was never going to happen. He looked after us all and gave us everything we needed to become the players and the men that we are today."
As the 69 year-old prepares to celebrate his 25th anniversary at the club, the former England captain has paid tribute to the impact that he has had on his career.
"It [spending 25 years at a club like United] just doesn’t happen in football anymore. That loyalty and respect for just one club is unbelievable and it’s not something you see these days," explained the midfielder.
"It says a lot about Manchester United as a club and a lot about the manager when you consider how long he’s been there, and just look at the success we’ve had over the years. It’s been amazing. But that’s what happens when you have stability .
Meanwhile, in what could be his final season with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham set up the first goal and then won a penalty to lead his team into the MLS Western Conference final with a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls on Thursday.
The 36-year-old midfielder delivered the corner for Mike Magee to head in the equaliser in the 42nd minute.
He was then shoved by New York defender Roy Miller in the penalty box, allowing Landon Donovan to score the winner from the spot in the 74th.
Beckham, who is coming to the end of his contract with MLS side LA Galaxy, has recently been linked with a move to French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
