Now that it has been determined that David Beckham will infact return to Los Angeles and the LA Galaxy, here are some more words from Galaxy head Time Leiweke.
"They (AC Milan) clearly were looking at this as a football decision and we were looking at it as a football and business decision,” he said. “I’m not sure they ever quite understood the magnitude of the losses the Galaxy and the league would have had to bear this season. They were very respectful discussions. We’re fine. There’s no issues here.”
Leiweke said he had not spoken directly to Beckham, whom he knows will be upset with this decision, but that he informed the player’s representatives the loan would not be made permanent. “I know David is emotionally invested, but I don’t think Milan really was that interested in spending the money we would have had to receive to compensate us for our losses,” Leiweke said. “We need David to honor the contract and come home and let’s stop the distraction. David is a professional. He will get his arms around this and he will come back here."
Leiweke confirmed that Beckham has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave at the end of this year. “Clearly the risk is we may lose him at the end of the year. Our hope is the team surprises him and we’re a lot better than last year. We look forward to seeing David back in camp. We need to have a good season and we need to live up to a higher expectation.”
Leiweke said the Galaxy’s sponsors and season ticket holders were clamoring for a conclusion to the saga. “We heard loud and clear this week from our contractual partners that they wanted an end to this,” he said. “We need to pay a little bit of attention to the league and Galaxy now.”
The Galaxy opens the MLS season at home March 22 against DC United.
