Los Angeles Galaxy braced for end of David Beckham era

The club have barred all media from the training ground and were adding no further comment to the assertion of Bruce Arena, the head coach, that he expects Beckham back by March 9 for pre-season training. But Grahame Jones, who covers football for the Los Angeles Times, began his column in yesterday’s paper: “By every measurable indication, the David Beckham era in Los Angeles has come to an end.”

Jones believes that the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the company that owns the Galaxy, is close to finalising terms that will allow it to save face and to pass off the move as a success. “I’m figuring that they’re just hammering out the details,” he told The Times. “It’s a done deal.