David Beckham: From Hero to Zero

Bayern are 7th?!?! Wow, Rafa sucks arse on your save. He just won 4 trophies in one season with Chelsea on mine

2013-05-15 05:51#100953 Arvind : Bayern are 7th?!?! Wow, Rafa sucks arse on your save. He just won 4 trophies in one season with Chelsea on mine

^^^^^^^^^^^900th reply.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks for the awesome comments guys, and 900 replies woohoo

It is done, dusted and confirmed - David Beckham has left Aston Villa.

After a successful five seasons where the London-born manager secured both a double and a treble in two consecutive seasons, Beckham is ready to quit Villa for his new role as manager of FC Bayern Munich in Germany.

The news was confirmed on Villa's official website and Twitter, after numerous football fans confirmed their sightings of Bayern chairman Karl Heinz-Rumenigge in Birmingham.

Both Bayern, Villa and Beckham have kept very quiet on the speculation, but it appears rumors have turned into facts with Bayern confirming they will unveil Beckham at the Allianz Arena in a few days. His first league match in charge will be against Bundesliga minnows Aachen.

Although it is a welcome addition to the Bayern team, it will not be a happy departure for Villa. Understandably so, as Beckham has been their most successful manager in recent years.

"We are all very sorry that David is going to leave," Villa owner and chairman Randy Lerner wrote on the club's official website. "But I am also happy for him that he has gotten this opportunity and I understand that he has to seize it. I trust that the fans will always welcome him back at Villa Park. Maybe one day he can come back to manage Villa again. I wish him success for his future in Germany and Bayern Munich."

Beckham made no further comments on his departure but it is expected that he will address Villa in his first press conference as Bayern manager.

David Beckham has only been Aston Villa manager for a little over five years, but he has certainly left his mark on Aston Villa history.

Beckham leaves Villa while they dangle in 14th place - not the best of positions, and it is only certain to get worst now with the Englishman's departure.

His last three matches in charge weren't superb, especially getting thrashed 5-0 by Manchester United, but Beckham at least ended his time at Aston Villa well with a 2-0 win over Liverpool.

The squad he left behind will also be no doubt gutted to see him leave - Beckham had a superb relationship with his lads.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

It is the end of an era for Aston Villa.

However for Beckham, it is the start of a new chapter.

Wow, Beckham in Germany, i'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out...

Just don't mention the war!

2013-05-15 15:37#100972 ziechael : Wow, Beckham in Germany, i'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out...

Just don't mention the war!

"Welcome to FC Bayern Munchen, Mr. Beckham."

David winced at the heavy German accent of Karl-Heinz Rumenigge. Then he smiled and shook the Bayern legend's hand. "Pleased to be here."

Rumenigge led David into the top floor of the Allianz Arena. The two entered a meeting room. There was the members of the Bayern board.

"Erlauben Sie mir zu präsentieren, David Beckham!" Rumenigge shouted enthusiastically, sweeping his hands over dramatically to David, who was left wondering with what the Bayern chairman had said. Shrugging, he took one of the empty seats, and put on his best polite look for the board members.

"As you know, we had Rafa here before you. I think you would like to see how our fixtures without you earlier on in the season went," said Rumenigge, presenting David with a report. He looked it over.


David frowned. It was quite a good record. Only 2 losses in the Bundesliga - and Rafa Benitez had been sacked. How high exactly were the expectations of the Bayern board?

"Currently, we are also 4th in the Bundesliga," Rumenigge announced.


"Our objective for you in your first season here will be to qualify for the European Champions' League next season. Not being in that honorable and desired competition is a disgrace to our honorable club," Rumenigge said sagely. "We have heard great things about you, Mr. Beckham. Do not disappoint us."

David mentally shuddered. "I-I won't."

"Excellent," Rumenigge replied with a smile.

"And please call me David."

"Das genügt, David." David stared at Rumenigge, wondering what the hell he was talking about. He decided to make a point to learn if there were any available German classes nearby. "Now, let me introduce you to our board members. After that, we will go and meet your new squad. They are all very eager to see you."

David nodded, knowing it was going to be quite a day.

Awesome updates Glenn good to see Becks make the step up I'm sure he'll be a great success here :p

Today, David Beckham will sit down with journalists in his first press conference as Bayern manager.

Journalist - Firstly, welcome to Bayern Munich, Mr. David Beckham. I'm Akash Vidyasagar of the Munchen Football Paper.

David Beckham - Thank you very much.

J - Can you speak any German?

DB - No, I'm afraid not.

J - That is alright. We are just going to have to speak with you in English then. Again, welcome to Bayern Munich, or FC Bayern Munchen, as we like to say it here in Germany. What made you decide to leave Aston Villa for Bayern?

DB - Mr. Rumenigge approached me and it was to be honest, very crazy to be able to be given this opportunity. I had to take it.

J - But we understand that you have rejected other job offers before.

DB - That is because they did not interest me, or I was not ready to move from Villa at the time.

J - Are there any words for Aston Villa, the fans, and all that?

DB - They all know what I want to say, basically it's a very big thank you to Villa, Randy, and the fans, for giving me so much support over the years. It has been great managing Aston Villa of course. I really hope I can go back someday to Villa Park as maybe an opposition manager or perhaps something else.

J - Are you implying that you have plans for a second stint as Aston Villa manager?

DB - No, I'm implying that you're asking too many questions, why don't you give your fellow journalists a chance to talk?

There are a couple of "ooohs" ringing about as Akash Vidyasagar backs away into the journalist crowd with a scowl on his face.

J - Hello, Mr. Beckham, this is Arvind Krishna for the German Football Messenger. What do you think of the current squad you have with Bayern Munich? Have you met them already?

DB - Good afternoon, Arvind. Yes, I have met them and taken charge of one training session. I think Bayern have a very good squad but I'm the type who likes making changes. There will be some departures and some arrivals in the upcoming transfer window, definitely.

J - Personally, where do you think are the areas of the Bayern squad that need strengthening?

DB - I feel we need a couple of tougher defenders.

J - Good afternoon, Mr. Beckham, this is Krupesh Shah for the German Football Daily. My question is regarding your aims for the season. Are you going to try and win the Bundesliga this season?

DB - First place is always the main aim. There is no question about that.

J - Schalke is currently in first place and 12 points ahead of your Bayern team, do you think you can catch up, though?

DB - Nothing is impossible. We will do our best and see what happens.

And thus, it was the end of Beckham's first press conference in Munich.

Akash got put in to his place ;P haha my journalism career will take off after this press conference :p

2013-05-15 17:29#101010 k1rups : Akash got put in to his place ;P haha my journalism career will take off after this press conference :p

It certainly will

Today, we take a look at the squad David Beckham has inherited from Rafa Benitez.

Goalkeepers

Manuel Neuer - Age 31
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Bright Martins - Age 18
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David Beckham has had got an outstanding goalie in Neuer and a young upcoming prospect in Martins. There should be no problems for him in this position although both are out injured at the moment and he may have to field a youth keeper in his first Bundesliga game.

Defenders

Phillip Lahm - Age 34
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John Heitinga - Age 34
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Jerome Boateng - Age 29
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Siyanda Xulu - Age 25
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Mateo Musacchio - Age 27
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Lisandro Lopez - Age 28
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Phillipp Wollscheid - Age 28
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Stefan Radu - Age 31
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Per Mertesacker - Age 33
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Eros Baldoni - Age 18
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Pavle Cecaric - Age 17
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A defense that David Beckham mentions needs some strengthening, and he may be right. Bayern have a good, solid defense, but if they want to go back to being the top European force they were under Antonio Conte, there needs to be better. There are too many oldies. Change is needed.

Midfielders

Javi Garcia - Age 30
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Emre Can - Age 23
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Abdoulaye Sylla - Age 23
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Toni Kroos - Age 27
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Ramires - Age 30
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Bastian Schweinsteiger - Age 33
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Sebastian Rode - Age 27
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Emanuele Giaccherini - Age 32
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Mitchell Weiser - Age 23
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Thomas Muller - Age 28
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Jacob Glibo - Age 19
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Juan Pedro Losada - Age 18
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Eugene Konoplyanka - Age 28
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Marvin Martin - Age 29
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Gaston Ramirez - Age 26
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Pretty strong midfield but perhaps some adjustments are needed. Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller are two individuals in the Bayern midfield that are going to be vital for Beckham's quest for success in Germany.

Forwards

Fabio Borini - Age 26
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Romelu Lukaku - Age 24
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Mario Gomez - Age 32
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Yusif Dadzie - Age 18
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Dawid Kozlowski - Age 18
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No problem either on the forwards side and it remains to be seen if Fabio Borini or Romelu Lukaku will be Beckham's main attacking man.

Jheez that must have taken ages mate :p good work on analysing the squad...maybe a few new midfielders that are younger would be on the agenda too

2013-05-15 18:53#101027 k1rups : Jheez that must have taken ages mate :p good work on analysing the squad...maybe a few new midfielders that are younger would be on the agenda too

Indeed, thanks Krups!