Former QPR Coach Anthony McCool Shares Candid Reflections on Brooklyn Beckham in New Documentary
In a revealing new ITV documentary titled Beckham v Beckham: The Price of Fame?, Anthony McCool, who once coached Brooklyn Beckham during his youth football days at Queen's Park Rangers, has opened up about his observations of the Beckham family dynamics. McCool worked with Brooklyn when he was just 14 years old, and his recollections shed light on the pressures faced by the teenager growing up in the spotlight.
A 'Crackers' Incident That Highlighted the Beckham Lifestyle
McCool recounts a particular training session where Brooklyn forgot to bring a drink. "This was then leapt on by this guy near us," he explained. "He said, 'Is there a problem?' This guy had someone shoot off and before we knew it, he was back and burst into the dressing room like Jason Bourne with an earpiece in, with a crate of Lucozade."
The coach described the scene as "crackers", noting that while everyone laughed, he looked at Brooklyn and thought, "this life is crackers". He added, "He probably thought everyone was laughing at him. That's what made me quite sad." This anecdote underscores the surreal nature of Brooklyn's upbringing, surrounded by intense security and privilege.
Brooklyn's Quiet Demeanor and Emotional State
McCool also spoke about Brooklyn's personality during their time together. "Brooklyn was just very quiet, didn't really look you in the eye at first, that took quite some time, but very polite," he said. "He would worry me. We never saw any kind of massively high emotion or massively low [emotion]. It was almost like he was in this kind of daze. I think he was embarrassed at times."
This observation aligns with recent events, as Brooklyn has publicly criticised his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, for prioritising the family's image. In a scathing Instagram post last week, he claimed his mother danced "very inappropriately" on him during his wedding reception in 2002, leaving him feeling "uncomfortable or humiliated".
McCool's Sympathy and Insights into the Family Feud
Following Brooklyn's bombshell statement, McCool expressed sympathy for the young man. Posting on LinkedIn, he wrote, "Brooklyn Beckham getting piled on. But I felt sorry for the lad. I did see some bizarre carry on as his football coach at QPR and certainly saw the anxiety." He emphasised that he isn't taking sides, as he doesn't know the family personally, but noted, "I did witness myself a strange dynamic which is impossible for us to judge and predict how we would navigate it, both as parents and as a young person."
McCool highlighted that while he had coached other children of famous parents, mostly footballers, Brooklyn's situation was "on another serious level", with the teen constantly "flanked by permanent security". This unique environment, he suggested, contributed to the challenges Brooklyn faced.
Documentary Airs Amidst Ongoing Family Tensions
The ITV documentary, which airs tonight at 7.30pm, charts Brooklyn's life and the alleged disintegration of the Beckham family. It comes at a time when public interest in the feud is high, following Brooklyn's accusations and other family members' responses. McCool's insights provide a rare glimpse into the early years of a celebrity child navigating fame, pressure, and familial expectations.
As the documentary unfolds, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities behind the Beckham brand and the personal costs associated with living in the public eye. McCool's reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the human side of celebrity, often overshadowed by glamour and media scrutiny.
