The truth about the "flying shoe" between Sir Alex and Beckham

On February 15, 2003, MU lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the 5th round of the FA Cup 2002/2003 season. It was a match in which MU did not play too badly, but poor defensive situations cost them 2 goals.

One day after the match, a series of British newspapers published information that Beckham was in pain with stitches on his eyelids. At that time, there were many sources claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson was angry and kicked Beckham's shoe in the face. All relevant parties refused to respond to this information. However, after the end of the 2002/2003 season, Beckham had to leave MU to play for Real Madrid.

The wound on Beckham's face after being kicked in the face by coach Sir Alex

Many years after the incident passed, Beckham and even Sir Alex admitted that the Scottish coach was angry because of the handsome midfielder's poor performance, so he acted without restraint. In his autobiography, Sir Alex wrote: "I scolded Beckham after the match, but he objected to my criticism. Perhaps he thought there was no need to retreat to participate in defense, a quality made an important contribution to making his name. He sat nearly 4 meters away from me, and between us were shoes lined up. Beckham swore. I approached him, and as I walked, I kicked a shoe. It hit David above the eye. Of course, he wanted to rush in to win but the other players stopped him...

The next day, the story appeared in the newspapers. I told the board that Beckham had to leave. My message has become familiar to the Board of Directors, who know me well. The minute a Manchester United player thinks he is bigger than his teacher, he has to go."

He closed with a poignant sentence: "I often say: The moment the coach loses power, you no longer have a club. The players will run it, and you will be in trouble...".

Sir Alex and David Beckham's relationship had deteriorated long before that. The Scottish teacher did not like his favorite student getting too deeply involved in the entertainment industry with his famous wife Victoria, a former member of the Spice Girls group.

David Beckham and Victoria

Therefore, the "flying shoe" incident was just a drop in the bucket between the two and Sir Alex also wanted to "push the boat" to solve the problem in the dressing room.

After leaving MU, Beckham gradually declined in form and could not show his best ability during his years with Real Madrid. The "flying shoe" incident 19 years ago is still one of the most talked about "scandals" in the football world.