AEG reveal why Beckham deal failed

A deal that would have allowed David Beckham to play for Tottenham foundered because the Los Angeles Galaxy's owners insisted they want the England midfielder to appear for a full season in Major League Soccer.

Tim Leiweke, the president of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), also confirmed AEG have formed a "strategic alliance" with Tottenham that could see Spurs stars play for the MLS side in the future. AEG and Spurs are already working together on the bid to take over the London Olympic stadium.

Leiweke said in a telephone interview: "I am the one who made the decision about asking David to come back and play a full season of Major League Soccer because we haven't been able to do that, whether due to loans or injury."

He added: "Our commitment has been, 'David, you need to be back here for the MLS season that begins in March.'

"It is because we asked for that commitment that the timeline with Tottenham, as such, meant it was very difficult for them to figure out a way to integrate David into the team.

"But we encouraged David and co-operated about David going to train because there is a relationship with us and [Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy and the Tottenham squad."

Leiweke said links between AEG, the Galaxy and Spurs would continue to get stronger.

He added: "Part of what has been created is a strategic alliance between AEG and Tottenham.

"We are beginning to think outside the box on football and how we do things together on football, whether that's David Beckham training or maybe players from Tottenham coming to the Galaxy (or) playing games against each other.

"So I think strategically you will see more of an alliance between us and Tottenham long term."