London 2012 Olympics

Eriksson: 'I would have picked David Beckham'

By Mark Siglioccolo, Reporter | 01 July 2012

Ex England coach Sven Goran-Erikkson is surprised that David Beckham has been omitted from Team GB's Olympic football squad and reveals that he would have picked him.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he would have picked David Beckham for Team GB's Olympic football team.

Only three players over the age of 21 are eligible to play in the competition and 37-year-old Beckham was widely thought to be one of them.

"I would have picked him, put him on the bench at the very least," said Eriksson. "He is an icon, he should be involved in the Olympic Games in some way."

Beckham, who currently plays in the MLS with LA Galaxy, was watched twice by Team GB boss Stuart Pearce, who is set to name his final squad next week.

"I hope he will be involved in some way in the Olympic Games, it's important," Eriksson told Sportsweek.

"It is the Olympic Games, it is Great Britain, it is England, it is London."

Beckham made no secret of the fact that he wanted to participate but revealed recently that he had been left out of the 18 man squad, with Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards instead chosen as the over-age players.