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Donovan issues ultimatum to Galaxy over Beckham

SoccerNews in MLS 3 Jul 2009

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Landon Donovan has issued the Los Angeles Galaxy an ultimatum – have English superstar David Beckham clean up his act or risk the departure of Donovan, the club’s all-time top active scorer.

“Let’s say he does stay here for three more years. I’m not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way. This is (expletive) miserable,” Donovan said in passages from a forthcoming book put on Sports Illustrated’s website.

US national team captain Donovan blasted Beckham in the book, entitled “The Beckham Experiment”, questioning the former England captain’s work ethic, leadership and ability to be a good teammate on the Major League Soccer squad.

“Maybe he’s not a leader. Maybe he’s not a captain,” author Grant Wahl quotes Donovan as saying in the book, scheduled to be released later this month.

“But at a minimum you should bust your ass every day. That hasn’t happened.”

Donovan, who led the Americans to a runner-up finish on the weekend at the 2009 Confederation Cup, is one of the most decorated players in Galaxy history.

He leads all active Galaxy players in career goals (58), assists (44), shots (226) and game-winning goals (14). He holds club records for multi-goal games (14) and penalty-kick goals (17).

Donovan believes that Beckham, as the highest-paid player in the US league, has a responsibility to his team and especially to his Galaxy teammates to set an example through hard work.

“If someone is paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you are suspended or not.

“Show up, train hard, show up and play hard.

“As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways, on or of the field.”

Beckham is currently on loan from Los Angeles to AC Milan. The 34-year-old Beckham was originally supposed to return for the entire 2009 season but got his stay in Europe extended to halfway through the MLS season.

Beckham is scheduled to return to the Galaxy on July 16, two days after the release of the book.

“I can’t think of another guy where I would say he wasn’t a good teammate,” Donovan said. “He didn’t give everything through all of this. He didn’t still care. But with (Beckham) I would say no, he wasn’t committed.”

Donovan said Beckham’s attitude changed after the team got rid of former coach Ruud Gullit.

Gullit left the team a little over a month after Beckham played his first game in Los Angeles.

“He (Beckham) just flipped a switch and said, ‘Uh-huh, I am not doing it anymore.’

“It coincides with Ruud being let go.”

Donovan said Beckham was sincere when he arrived in North America but became discouraged easily.

“He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well,” Donovan was quoted as saying.

“My sense is David is clearly frustrated that he is unhappy and honestly, that he thinks it is a joke. I don’t see dedication or commitment to this team and that is troubling.”

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  • Brad

    0 0

    Jesus guys, do yall have to be so harsh????!!
    I heard a week or so ago the two of em stopped acting like an married couple, so we should stop bringin this up.
    Now, I aint sayin what Donovan said was right but we should forgive and forget.
    Simple as that.

  • mls season ticket holder

    0 0

    landon donovan is a douche. if he said those things while a player in any other sport like the nfl, mlb, nba, or even nhl, he’d get is ass whupped by fellow players and a benching by the coach. you just don’t call out fellow players in the media – you call them out in the locker room. and if you don’t understand this basic code then you’ve never played a team sport. but in the mls, they revere douche-bags like donovan. landon couldn’t make ANY squad in any of the top leagues of England, Spain, Germany, or France – and he’s suppose to be the best ….

  • marlon

    0 0

    Thats right Taku very correct look at how Donavan has a football nation hating one man because of the things he said and he said all that crap and did not even apologize in public like how he publicly talked bad about david the booed him like he killed someone thats not right no way at all mark my words donavan is gonna leave la the first chance he has to play abroad some team is looking at him and im very sure hes gonna go he should apologize to the nation and stop having talk show host who knows nothing about soccer talk about an football icon so what if he dosent pick up tabs in resturants everyone is working let them pay for their own drinks and their own food they ate they drank they pay

  • Taku Nhema, Zimbabwe

    0 0

    Rightfully said, Landon doesn’t hev manners. U dnt talk about yo fellow teammate to the press. Its nt right and it shows yo outward character. Put simple Landon is jelous abt the Brit. Look at Beckhams record and where he has been. That guy is a gentleman and he doesnt say bad things about his teammates or coaches. He puts effort in everythin he does and he works for wat he earns. Donovan myt b talented bt l doubt if he wil mek it in the EPL. Its high time he quits soccer and concentrate on his bøoks. Who is he anyway. Was he consulted when Becks was signed in the first place. Sorry son. To Becks keep up the good works on the pitch and silence yo critics!

  • Brad

    0 0

    Did yall just hear someone?
    haha…

  • whitecapsBC

    0 0

    fuck yea!

  • Brad

    0 0

    Also, I think it is time to ferget this discussion and go on to the one about Becks and Donovan settle their squabble.
    How bout it yall?

  • Brad

    0 0

    Apology accepted, and I have to apologize myself. Sorry.
    I aint taking whitecaps seriously other his sneaky attempt to insult my passion for football and my short temper- which unfortunately runs in the family, just so yall know where I got it- (:() though. I’ll jes ignore his future comments.
    I agree with Gooner 11 ( even though I am a bonna fide MUFC fan by blood, I will say that Robbin Van Persie shows no mercy) we should be talking about how Donovan wasnt right to snipe at Becks like that and that Becks has every right to snipe back- which thankfully enough, he has.
    And I agree with Van Persie- if you dont mind me calling you that- about Donovan talking to Becks instead of attacking him in that book and through the media.

  • whitecapsBC

    0 0

    haha, brad
    marlon u espescially have nothing to say sorry about..
    that guy brad loves to threaten people, so silly
    haha
    anyways, gooooner-11 nice one!
    VAN PERSIE!! so good.

  • marlon

    0 0

    Yep so true u r correct gooner im sorry Mr Brad for everything i said i take it all back it got out of hand and im sorry for my part in this affair jus that im so passionate about football sometimes i get carried away lets keep it football only

  • Gooner-11

    0 0

    it doesnt matter if ur an american or brit. all people are all the same.

    brad, i think u started the name calling, buddy. so end it.
    all name calling will do is take away any creditability someone may have.

    espescially cut out the threats, you guys. you’re looking like idiots (though you are probably not idiots)

    lets talk about football instead.

    so beckham said HE would talk to donovan. poor guy, imagine how awkward that conversation starts. this is what donovan should have done right off the bat. very unprofessional, if you ask me.

  • marlon

    0 0

    brad u are a littly sissy donavan insulted david first thats not correct u talk to the player not the press in all his years playing for huge teams not even one player has said anything about david so i will ask again who the hell is donavan to talk about david hes no great footballer in the us alone maybe but not fit for anywhere else and even if he is be a pro for gods sake talk to your team mate aside u all like to make a big story for money always leave the media out of your bloody bedrooms granted hes ok still theres no reason to talk behind your excaptains back its rude and unpro. and i would love to see donavan come to my home to kick my butt never in a million years will he even dream of fighting but u say it likes its true the same u u got upset when we wasted donavan same goes for beckham tell him in the face not his back now back of bradddy girl or else imma pay u a visit then we can talk face to face and really see whats up

  • Brad

    0 0

    Douche bags…..
    Yall tried to insult me… grow up.
    I aint saying what Donovan was right, but as an American I felt insulted that a bloodyback Brit decided to attack my fellow countryman…. remember the American Revolt? That will happen again, this time in soccer, and you Brits will regret it…
    What Dylan said is right. Donovan may not be one of the best, but he can challenge them and become better as a footballer.
    The USL doesnt deserve Donovan, Jake. Dont insult him….
    Jesus, you people love to criticize others for feeling insulted.. grow up will ya?
    And you love to snipe at them when they go out for vacations and have their backs turned…..
    Quote:
    “lol lol brad where are you now buddy talk nah?”
    Unquote.
    Jake, saying that you could take Donovan on is an insult to him when his back is turned and a bad thing to say, and you’ll regret it when he brings that penalty kikin leg up into your…… you get the idea.
    What useless junk you douche bags threw at me…

  • Dylan

    0 0

    I think Donovan could defiantly play with the big boys. He’s been absolutely fantastic for the United States at international level. He also was on loan for about a month with Bayern Munich, and Klinsmann deeply considered signing him after the loan. If I remember correctly Toni and Klose were very impressed with Donovan’s skill and work ethic. I seriously doubt Donovan would ever start on a team like Bayern, but I could see him being a sub or starter at a team like Wigam, Fullham, Lazio, or Bremen

  • Striker

    0 0

    Donovan may be good but he’s nowhere near as good as the stars in European Football. I say he could play for those good teams but not be as big of a hit as in the MLS. If he sticks to US football he’ll be the best, but he shouldn’t go playing with the big boys.

    Also LA Galaxy or any of the american teams for that matter aren’t as good as the european teams or even the south american teams so tough.

    And Donovan shouldn’t speak like that about his fellow players.

  • Mike

    0 0

    Landon Donovan is doing the impossible and turning me into a fan of his.
    http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/2009/07/donovan-and-beckham-turf-war-sets-up.html

  • gooner-11

    0 0

    HA, Donovan in the EPL…as if
    obviously the galaxy need better player management, and donovan, what good could come from those miserable remarks?
    he went to BMunich on loan, no goals (except freindlies)
    MLS awards and a lucky confed silver, what else did he do?

  • marlon

    0 0

    lol lol brad where are u now buddy talk nah?

  • Jake

    0 0

    Hey brad Personally I believe Landon belongs in the USL cause all hes good for Is penalty kicks, And even I could make those penalty kicks at that level. He sucks, just face it get his cock out of your mouth.

    Landon Is just jealous cause Beckham is GOOD enough to play for AC mlian, and he IS JEALOUS of beckham cause he gets paid that much cause thats what it took to get him here in America.

    Let Landon come to my house im pretty sure I can take him

  • marlon

    0 0

    now why would u go all the way to using expletives little child its just an opinion every one is intitled to one dont u agree hes not great and no where in his lifetime would he play for man city or arsenal u must be out of your mind first what donavan needs to do is stop talking about his team mates how come no one in man ute ever spoke about beckham or at real madrid far less ac milan not one of the those footballers ever said not even an ounce of bad about david but donavan will say stuff whoTHE HELL IS DONAVAN WHERE IS HE AT RIGHT NOW
    bro wake up or sis whatever your fancy is donavan is ok and not that ok to talk about david

  • Brad

    0 0

    Please refrain from insulting great footballers who could kick your ass any day they want to in their sleep without trying, Marlon Scott.
    Personally, though, I agree with Dylan. The Galaxy are too poor a club to have a world class player like Donovan. He should go into the Premiership and play for Man City, ManU, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea.
    He deserves to play for great clubs like those and not for nobody clubs like LA Galaxy.
    Fuck off marlon, now.
    donovan is a great player and if he read this he would come to your house and kick your ass so hard you would never be able to shit again. Useless nonbeliever of football…..

  • marlon Scott

    0 0

    thats a load of bull donavan not like u r the best footballer anyways cant even play for other teams other than the mls its just jealousy thats killing u u play hard u ignite the team other guys arent doing it stop bitching about it u wanna make yourself look high and mighty by bringing down some one else u also were looking for another team just that no one wanted u remember shut up play your game and thats that sissy

  • Dylan

    0 0

    He should leave anyway, the Galaxy are terrible

  • Dylan

    0 0

    He should leave anyway, the Galaxy are terrible

  • marlon Scott

    0 0

    thats a load of bull donavan not like u r the best footballer anyways cant even play for other teams other than the mls its just jealousy thats killing u u play hard u ignite the team other guys arent doing it stop bitching about it u wanna make yourself look high and mighty by bringing down some one else u also were looking for another team just that no one wanted u remember shut up play your game and thats that sissy

  • Brad

    0 0

    Please refrain from insulting great footballers who could kick your ass any day they want to in their sleep without trying, Marlon Scott.
    Personally, though, I agree with Dylan. The Galaxy are too poor a club to have a world class player like Donovan. He should go into the Premiership and play for Man City, ManU, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea.
    He deserves to play for great clubs like those and not for nobody clubs like LA Galaxy.
    Fuck off marlon, now.
    donovan is a great player and if he read this he would come to your house and kick your ass so hard you would never be able to shit again. Useless nonbeliever of football…..

  • marlon

    0 0

    now why would u go all the way to using expletives little child its just an opinion every one is intitled to one dont u agree hes not great and no where in his lifetime would he play for man city or arsenal u must be out of your mind first what donavan needs to do is stop talking about his team mates how come no one in man ute ever spoke about beckham or at real madrid far less ac milan not one of the those footballers ever said not even an ounce of bad about david but donavan will say stuff whoTHE HELL IS DONAVAN WHERE IS HE AT RIGHT NOW
    bro wake up or sis whatever your fancy is donavan is ok and not that ok to talk about david

  • Jake

    0 0

    Hey brad Personally I believe Landon belongs in the USL cause all hes good for Is penalty kicks, And even I could make those penalty kicks at that level. He sucks, just face it get his cock out of your mouth.

    Landon Is just jealous cause Beckham is GOOD enough to play for AC mlian, and he IS JEALOUS of beckham cause he gets paid that much cause thats what it took to get him here in America.

    Let Landon come to my house im pretty sure I can take him

  • marlon

    0 0

    lol lol brad where are u now buddy talk nah?

  • gooner-11

    0 0

    HA, Donovan in the EPL…as if
    obviously the galaxy need better player management, and donovan, what good could come from those miserable remarks?
    he went to BMunich on loan, no goals (except freindlies)
    MLS awards and a lucky confed silver, what else did he do?

  • Mike

    0 0

    Landon Donovan is doing the impossible and turning me into a fan of his.
    http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/2009/07/donovan-and-beckham-turf-war-sets-up.html

  • Striker

    0 0

    Donovan may be good but he’s nowhere near as good as the stars in European Football. I say he could play for those good teams but not be as big of a hit as in the MLS. If he sticks to US football he’ll be the best, but he shouldn’t go playing with the big boys.

    Also LA Galaxy or any of the american teams for that matter aren’t as good as the european teams or even the south american teams so tough.

    And Donovan shouldn’t speak like that about his fellow players.

  • Dylan

    0 0

    I think Donovan could defiantly play with the big boys. He’s been absolutely fantastic for the United States at international level. He also was on loan for about a month with Bayern Munich, and Klinsmann deeply considered signing him after the loan. If I remember correctly Toni and Klose were very impressed with Donovan’s skill and work ethic. I seriously doubt Donovan would ever start on a team like Bayern, but I could see him being a sub or starter at a team like Wigam, Fullham, Lazio, or Bremen

  • Brad

    0 0

    Douche bags…..
    Yall tried to insult me… grow up.
    I aint saying what Donovan was right, but as an American I felt insulted that a bloodyback Brit decided to attack my fellow countryman…. remember the American Revolt? That will happen again, this time in soccer, and you Brits will regret it…
    What Dylan said is right. Donovan may not be one of the best, but he can challenge them and become better as a footballer.
    The USL doesnt deserve Donovan, Jake. Dont insult him….
    Jesus, you people love to criticize others for feeling insulted.. grow up will ya?
    And you love to snipe at them when they go out for vacations and have their backs turned…..
    Quote:
    “lol lol brad where are you now buddy talk nah?”
    Unquote.
    Jake, saying that you could take Donovan on is an insult to him when his back is turned and a bad thing to say, and you’ll regret it when he brings that penalty kikin leg up into your…… you get the idea.
    What useless junk you douche bags threw at me…

  • marlon

    0 0

    brad u are a littly sissy donavan insulted david first thats not correct u talk to the player not the press in all his years playing for huge teams not even one player has said anything about david so i will ask again who the hell is donavan to talk about david hes no great footballer in the us alone maybe but not fit for anywhere else and even if he is be a pro for gods sake talk to your team mate aside u all like to make a big story for money always leave the media out of your bloody bedrooms granted hes ok still theres no reason to talk behind your excaptains back its rude and unpro. and i would love to see donavan come to my home to kick my butt never in a million years will he even dream of fighting but u say it likes its true the same u u got upset when we wasted donavan same goes for beckham tell him in the face not his back now back of bradddy girl or else imma pay u a visit then we can talk face to face and really see whats up

  • Gooner-11

    0 0

    it doesnt matter if ur an american or brit. all people are all the same.

    brad, i think u started the name calling, buddy. so end it.
    all name calling will do is take away any creditability someone may have.

    espescially cut out the threats, you guys. you’re looking like idiots (though you are probably not idiots)

    lets talk about football instead.

    so beckham said HE would talk to donovan. poor guy, imagine how awkward that conversation starts. this is what donovan should have done right off the bat. very unprofessional, if you ask me.

  • marlon

    0 0

    Yep so true u r correct gooner im sorry Mr Brad for everything i said i take it all back it got out of hand and im sorry for my part in this affair jus that im so passionate about football sometimes i get carried away lets keep it football only

  • whitecapsBC

    0 0

    haha, brad
    marlon u espescially have nothing to say sorry about..
    that guy brad loves to threaten people, so silly
    haha
    anyways, gooooner-11 nice one!
    VAN PERSIE!! so good.

  • Brad

    0 0

    Apology accepted, and I have to apologize myself. Sorry.
    I aint taking whitecaps seriously other his sneaky attempt to insult my passion for football and my short temper- which unfortunately runs in the family, just so yall know where I got it- (:() though. I’ll jes ignore his future comments.
    I agree with Gooner 11 ( even though I am a bonna fide MUFC fan by blood, I will say that Robbin Van Persie shows no mercy) we should be talking about how Donovan wasnt right to snipe at Becks like that and that Becks has every right to snipe back- which thankfully enough, he has.
    And I agree with Van Persie- if you dont mind me calling you that- about Donovan talking to Becks instead of attacking him in that book and through the media.

  • Brad

    0 0

    Also, I think it is time to ferget this discussion and go on to the one about Becks and Donovan settle their squabble.
    How bout it yall?

  • whitecapsBC

    0 0

    fuck yea!

  • Brad

    0 0

    Did yall just hear someone?
    haha…

  • Taku Nhema, Zimbabwe

    0 0

    Rightfully said, Landon doesn’t hev manners. U dnt talk about yo fellow teammate to the press. Its nt right and it shows yo outward character. Put simple Landon is jelous abt the Brit. Look at Beckhams record and where he has been. That guy is a gentleman and he doesnt say bad things about his teammates or coaches. He puts effort in everythin he does and he works for wat he earns. Donovan myt b talented bt l doubt if he wil mek it in the EPL. Its high time he quits soccer and concentrate on his bøoks. Who is he anyway. Was he consulted when Becks was signed in the first place. Sorry son. To Becks keep up the good works on the pitch and silence yo critics!

  • marlon

    0 0

    Thats right Taku very correct look at how Donavan has a football nation hating one man because of the things he said and he said all that crap and did not even apologize in public like how he publicly talked bad about david the booed him like he killed someone thats not right no way at all mark my words donavan is gonna leave la the first chance he has to play abroad some team is looking at him and im very sure hes gonna go he should apologize to the nation and stop having talk show host who knows nothing about soccer talk about an football icon so what if he dosent pick up tabs in resturants everyone is working let them pay for their own drinks and their own food they ate they drank they pay

  • mls season ticket holder

    0 0

    landon donovan is a douche. if he said those things while a player in any other sport like the nfl, mlb, nba, or even nhl, he’d get is ass whupped by fellow players and a benching by the coach. you just don’t call out fellow players in the media – you call them out in the locker room. and if you don’t understand this basic code then you’ve never played a team sport. but in the mls, they revere douche-bags like donovan. landon couldn’t make ANY squad in any of the top leagues of England, Spain, Germany, or France – and he’s suppose to be the best ….

  • Brad

    0 0

    Jesus guys, do yall have to be so harsh????!!
    I heard a week or so ago the two of em stopped acting like an married couple, so we should stop bringin this up.
    Now, I aint sayin what Donovan said was right but we should forgive and forget.
    Simple as that.

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