Soon to be knighted football icon David Beckham has his eyes on another dream to become the England manager.

Beckham, 50, who is set to be awarded with a knighthood by King Charles, has shied away from manager jobs since his retirement, instead becoming the owner of Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer and a co-owner of Salford City.

But the former national team captain feels he has the skills to be a ‘good coach’, and said he admired former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate’s ‘gentle’ approach which inspired the national team’s success.

Speaking on his CBS programme, David said: ‘The only job I would ever think about, would be to manage our country

‘I could manage England in 10 years time. That’s what it’ll take.’

‘I wouldn’t want to just jump straight into that role because I think it’s a disrespect to some managers out there that have been doing it for a long time and deserve that role.

David Beckham has revealed that he has his eyes on the England manager job just days after it was revealed that he is to be awarded with a knighthood – Beckham was welcomed into England training camp by then England manager Gareth Southgate in 2022

The tattooed ex-England star with his wife Victoria at a state dinner in celebration of Slow Food at King Charles’s Gloucestershire estate back in February 

‘I love the fact that Gareth came through the system and the reason why this team has done so well under him is because he had them from a young age – under 21.

‘They trusted him, they loved the way he worked.

‘They loved his gentle approach to management and the fact that he was able to bring the nation back on side at a tough time. He got knighted recently and he deserves that because of what he did for our country and what he did for our national team and what he did for our fans.

‘Because our fans, in my opinion, are the best in the world.’

Last year, German Thomas Tuchel was announced as the next permanent England manager, replacing Gareth Southgate and interim manager Lee Carsley.

David recalled how in the last couple of years, Wembley’s seating allocation has not been filled due to some apathy from fans.

‘Not seeing a full Wembley at times was heartbreaking because we always had a full stadium no matter who we were playing. Our fans wanted to be there and not seeing that, and then Gareth bringing it back and seeing the success that it was, they got a pride and a joy back.’

David could have joined the coaching ranks of United, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and Real Madrid.

‘To be honest I never wanted to be a coach.

‘I love coaching kids in the academy. That’s my real pᴀssion.

‘But I’ve never really wanted to be a manager. I’ve never really wanted to coach at this level. “I think I could be a good coach, but I don’t know. I do have the knowledge, but I’ve never been a coach.’

David Beckham made the England manager revelations on his CBS show 

Charles spoke to David as they attended the inaugural King’s Foundation charity awards at St James’s Palace in London in June 2024

David with Victoria, as he showed off the OBE he received in November 2003

David, who has earned hundreds of millions through endorsements, business ventures and modeling, claims he was seen as a future manager by Football ᴀssociation chiefs in 2010.

He said: ‘We had just landed on the way back from the World Cup in Germany when I missed out , because I ruptured my achilles playing for AC Milan. And on the plane on the way back, someone from the FA came up to me and said, “Do your badges, because we want you to take over England.”

Another inspiration for Becks is close friend Thierry Henry who guided the French team to Olympic glory.

‘I loved watching Thierry and the success that he had in the Olympics. I thought it was remarkable to see a friend do so well.’

‘One of the greatest ever players to play the game to then go on and coach his country in the Olympics and do so well. It was quite emotional to watch. That was an incredible moment.’

Asked if he was tempted to coach at his own MLS franchise team Inter Miami after signing Lionel Messi, he responded: ‘I wanted to play with him. I didn’t really want to be his coach. I’d be too scared to be his coach. I think in all honesty, trying to tell him what to do. Can you imagine?’

It comes as it was revealed that David is set to be awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honour’s List after being snubbed for years.

He will be confirmed as a ‘Sir’ when the list is released on Saturday, and his wife and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham will be known as Lady Beckham.

The tattooed ex-England captain last month chatted with King Charles at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, with their bond reportedly growing close in recent years through their shared love of gardening.

The 76-year-old monarch was heard congratulating the former England footballer on his landmark celebrations – and asked the star whether he had received their present.

Standing outside the Highgrove stand run by the monarch’s charity, the King’s Foundation, Beckham – who is now an ambᴀssador for the organisation – greeted the sovereign warmly and said: ‘Your Majesty, it’s so nice to see you.’

Astonishingly, Charles then appeared to ask whether he had received the birthday present that he and his wife had sent.

‘You got it, didn’t you?’ he asked.

‘It was incredible,’ beamed Beckham. ‘Thank you, it was very kind.’

Camilla added: ‘Nice to see you again, glad you got the roses.’

David, an avid royalist since he was a schoolboy in Chingford, has long craved for a knighthood and it appeared to be within his grasp having received an OBE from the late Queen in 2003.