By Mike Collett
LONDON, March 14 - David Beckham, whose Real
Madrid side were knocked out of the Champions League last week
after losing to Juventus, has tipped either AC Milan or Chelsea
to go on and win this season's competition in Istanbul in May.
"AC Milan especially have really caught my eye, they cause a
lot of problems for the opposition, they are strong in every
part of the field and they are so good defensively with (Paolo)
Maldini and Cafu playing as well as ever," said Beckham.
The England skipper was speaking to journalists on a visit
to London to launch the David Beckham soccer Academy.
"Chelsea, though, are also a major contender. They have
Roman Abramovich's money, a new young manager who is full of
confidence and keeps the pressure off his team, some very, very
good players maturing well, and some good young English players
there. They will take some beating too."
The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals takes place
on Friday at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon.
However, Beckham could hardly hide his frustration at
Madrid's lack of success in Europe's leading club competition
during almost two seasons at the Bernabeu.
Real were knocked out at the quarter-final stage last season
and their 2-0 defeat at Juventus last Wednesday meant an exit in
the round of 16 this time.
After losing 2-1 to Getafe on Sunday, Real are also 11
points behind Barcelona in La Liga with virtually no chance of
catching their arch-rivals in the Spanish title race.
"Of course, it is incredibly frustrating because I want to
win trophies with Real Madrid but, unless something happens to
Barcelona's form, we won't win La Liga and we are out of Europe.
"A club like Real Madrid needs to win trophies but that is
not going to happen this season. There may be a number of
reasons why it has happened, we have to accept it, look at it,
but I don't like it."
NO MANAGEMENT
Despite the lack of silverware at Real, the England captain
confirmed he is happy at the club and has no intention of
returning home for the foreseeable future. He is also certain
about what he wants to do once his playing days are over.
"Well I know that I do not want to become a manager. I have
no ambition to do that, that has never been a thing for me.
"Other players might. I think Gary and Phil Neville would
make great managers and so would Roy Keane, he sets a great
example, he's got experience, and that something extra," he
said, referring to his former Manchester United team mates.
"But for me, I want to put something back into the game
through the kids and I am delighted to be in a position to start
the academy.
"I want to continue playing for as long as I can at the top
level but when the time comes I want to coach the kids," said
the 29-year-old.
"I am putting a lot of my own money into this project but
its not necessarily about finding a new Michael Owen or Wayne
Rooney or Rio Ferdinand, although that would be great if that
did happen, but its not just about elite young players.
The David Beckham Academy will open this year in Greenwich
on the banks of London's River Thames close to the site of the
Millennium Dome and will initially welcome 15,000 boys and girls
aged from eight to 15 on an annual basis.
A sister Academy will open in Los Angeles later this year.
Beckham, who is not looking to make any financial profit
from the operation, is working in partnership with the Anschutz
Entertainment Group to build his Academy.
Anschutz are developing a 26,000 capacity venue for sports
and entertainment on the Millennium Dome site.
Asked if he could be more involved in his academy if he
joined a London club after leaving Madrid, Beckham laughed: "I
knew that one was coming, but no that's not in my plans either."