 Beckham joined Madrid from Man Utd for �25m in 2003 |
David Beckham admits the resignation of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Monday has put his future in doubt. Perez was responsible for bringing the 30-year-old to Madrid in 2003 and Beckham said of the president's decision: "It was a surprise.
"Going forward I don't know what is going to happen.
"My contract is the same and the club have already said they want me to stay and I want to stay. I am happy there in my football. We will see."
Beckham added: "I have already been told, not just by Florentino but by the other board members, that they have expressed their feelings that they want me to stay.
"Whether that changes I don't know, but as far as I'm concerned at my last talks they said they wanted me to stay for a few more years.
"I want to thank Florentino, because he gave me the chance to play for such a huge, amazing club.
"I will always have fond memories of him. He is a great person, very intelligent.
"Some of the players he brought in are amazing, and he has to be congratulated. What he has done for this club is incredible.
"He brought the 'galactico' era to the club and that will always go down in history.
"He is the man who brought me there. I didn't go there as a 'galactico' and I am not one now. I went there as a footballer and that is why I am still there.
"He gave me the chance to play for a great club and I thank him."
Perez, 58, will be replaced with immediate effect by former club vice-president Fernando Martin.
Real won the Primera Liga title twice and the Champions League once during Perez's reign - but have not secured any silverware since 2003.
 | PEREZ'S MADRID REIGN 2000: Wins election and buys Luis Figo for world record �37m 2001: Sells training ground for �326m, buys Zinedine Zidane for �45.8m, Real win title 2002: Wins Champions League, buys Ronaldo for �25m 2003: Wins Spanish title, buys David Beckham for �24.5m 2004: Buys Walter Samuel for �15m, Jonathan Woodgate for �13.4m and Michael Owen for �8m 2005: Trophyless for second successive season 2006: Resigns as president |
Perez replaced Lorenzo Sanz in 2000 and heralded the "galactico" era at the Bernabeu by buying stars such as Portugal's Luis Figo, Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, Brazilian Ronaldo and England captain David Beckham.
But he now believes flaws in the policy of buying such high-profile players have cost the club on the pitch.
"We have a squad of great players," said Perez. "But some of them think they have a guaranteed place and that they are the best. They are confused.
"I want to capture their attention through my resignation so that they understand that all that matters is Real Madrid.
"I don't regret bringing the best players in the world to this club, but perhaps I wasn't able to make them understand the importance of their responsibilities, maybe I have educated them badly.
"Perhaps my departure is necessary to unblock the situation.
"My decision has been made in order to help Real Madrid. It was carefully considered and I believe that it is an act of responsibility."
Earlier in February the Deloitte Football Money League was published, confirming that Madrid had leapfrogged Manchester United to become the world's richest club.
But they are facing another trophyless season following a disappointing series of results.
Perez's resignation comes after a bad week in which the team lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League knock-out tie, then were sunk 2-1 by Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Perez was less than two years into his second term as Real president having been re-elected in July 2004.
MMIX
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Perez ran out of ideas - in the last two years there has been no direction
