David Beckham’s wife blocked him signing for Leicester

Former Leicester City boss Sven-Göran Eriksson has revealed his brief efforts to pursue David Beckham to rejoin forces at the second-tier of English football.

In a recent episode of Sacked in the Morning podcast, the former England national team manager told a fascinating old story. The chat concerned him trying to poach the ex-Three Lions captain who had served under him.

Eriksson pitched Beckham the idea of rejoining forces at Leicester City

During that time, Beckham was venturing out of LA Galaxy, serving loan spells for European clubs like AC Milan. So at one of the football events, where both the Swede and he were present, Eriksson pitched the idea of a return to his native land, with a chance to help the Foxes reach the promised lands of the English top-flight.

Beckham, being polite, didn’t deject the bareboned opportunity, but his wife was dismissive of such a proposal right from the idea’s conception.

"“I asked him [Beckham] at a football event, and he was there with his wife. Before dinner we stood talking to each other. I was at Leicester at the time, so I said to him: ‘When your contract finishes in the United States, why don’t you come back to England, sign for Leicester and take us up to the Premier League?’ He said: ‘Maybe, yeah,’ because he doesn’t want to say no. Then Victoria says: ‘Sven, can you see me in Leicester?’ I said: ‘Well, maybe not.’ Finished discussion about Leicester.” – Sven-Göran Eriksson."

Not too posh for Posh Spice’s liking

Victoria Beckham could not fathom the idea of settling her family away from a place like Los Angles, California. LA was a place that really suited her retired pop-star livelihood as a Spice Girl to match the glamour of Hollywood.

After leaving LA Galaxy in 2012, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend returned back to Europe briefly to play his last stint in Paris for Paris Saint-Germain. In France he played only ten matches.

One can only wonder if such a high-profile signing would have propelled Leicester City’s progression. Some would argue against it as it might have drained the finances out only to acquire the nation’s star. It’s futile to ponder its possibilities now, but it would forever be a ‘what if’?

Leicester City, under Eriksson, was viewed as one of the favorites for promotion in the 2011–12 season. However, on 24 October 2011, following an inconsistent start with the Foxes winning just 5 out of their first 13 matches, the Swede left the club by mutual consent. Three weeks later, Nigel Pearson returned as the now-74-year-old’s successor, only to start building the foundations for the King Power club’s successes during the next few years.