Kevin Keegan has said it would be a "big ask" for David Beckham to make a successful return to the Premier League and regain his place in the England national side.
Kevin Keegan has said it would be a "big ask" for David Beckham to make a successful return to the Premier League and regain his place in the England national side.
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Beckham, now with the LA Galaxy, is reported to be keen on a loan move ahead of the start of the Major League Soccer season, with Tottenham Hotspur leading the chase, as he bids to regain fitness following an Achilles tendon injury.
But Keegan, who managed Beckham when in charge of the England side more than a decade ago, questioned whether the 35-year-old former Manchester United midfielder would still be able to cut it in English football's top flight.
"Playing for England again, playing back in the Premier League, that'd be a big ask, I think," Keegan, now a pundit with satellite broadcaster ESPN, said on Thursday.
However, Keegan said he could see Beckham becoming involved in the England backroom set-up even though the Football Association have denied they are lining him up as a coach when Fabio Capello quits as manager.
"Can he be a coach? Of course he can," Keegan said.
"He's a bright guy, he's worldly, he knows how to communicate with people, he's got vast experience. David Beckham can be anything he wants to be. If he wants to be a manager, that's fine."
Steve McManaman, who played alongide Beckham in the England side managed by Keegan as well as briefly being his team-mate at Real Madrid, was doubtful whether Beckham would come to England on loan, given has to be back in the United States by March for the start of the MLS season.
"It's a loan deal within a loan deal, which is the problem for a lot of Premier League clubs," McManaman said.
"I think teams who are struggling now or teams who want him, they can't have him until the end of the season, which is a pity.
"They can only have him for an eight-week loan deal, and that's the sticking point. That's going to be difficult to overcome.
"I know certain clubs would do that but I think with the bigger clubs, it's going to be hard for them.
"I think David wanted to get his fitness levels up, certainly, after his injury - which was a terrible injury - last year, and he needs to play as much as possible.
"If he can do that, great. Whether anybody will take a punt on him, I think is another thing."
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