Paris Saint-Germain’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti smiles during a press conference at the club’s training centre Le Camp des Loges, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris, on the eve of a French L1 match against Lyon.
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti yesterday revealed that he believes veteran Englishman David Beckham will stay with the Ligue 1 club beyond the end of his current contract, which expires in the summer.
Reports in Britain yesterday suggested that Beckham - who has started just one Ligue 1 game - was mulling over a one-year contract extension and Ancelotti reckons the now-38-year-old still has something to offer.
“I think he will stay,” the Italian said.
“He has lost pace but has improved tactically. He always shows the right attitude and is not so young anymore but is still playing at the age of 38.
“He is very professional, focuses on his work and still has something to offer as a player.”
Ancelotti’s own future has been the subject of much speculation with the Italian being strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid if and when Jose Mourinho departs the Santiago Bernabeu. However, he was remaining coy on the matter yesterday.
“I am still hesitating. I am not sure,” he responded when asked if he had made any decisions on his future. There is no news. The season is not finished and I will need to speak to the club at the end of the campaign. There are lots of rumours going around but nothing has been done. We have not yet organised any meeting with the club but that will come.”
PSG go to Lyon today night knowing they need only match Marseille’s result at home to Toulouse to become Ligue 1 champions. Indeed, if OM lose against Toulouse, the capital club will even be confirmed as champions without kicking a ball. Ancelotti’s side betrayed signs of tension in last week’s 1-1 home draw with Valenciennes but the coach insists such feelings are normal as PSG close in on the club’s first French league title in 19 years.AFP
