Former Coach Reveals Sadness Over Brooklyn Beckham's 'Crackers' Public Life
Anthony McCool, the former football coach of Brooklyn Beckham, has spoken out about his feelings of sadness regarding the star's life in the public eye, describing it as 'crackers'. In a new interview for ITV's Beckham v Beckham: The Price of Fame? programme, McCool shed light on his experiences coaching Brooklyn during his time as a 14-year-old youth player at Queen’s Park Rangers.
Insights into a Shy and Polite Youngster
McCool revealed that Brooklyn was a very quiet and polite individual who struggled to fit in due to his shy nature. He noted that Brooklyn often avoided eye contact initially, which took time to overcome. The coach shared a poignant anecdote about a training session where Brooklyn arrived without a drink, as required.
When McCool asked about the missing drink, Brooklyn replied, 'I don't know, they didn't give me one'. This prompted an immediate response from security personnel nearby, who quickly intervened. McCool described how a security guard burst into the dressing room 'like Jason Bourne with an earpiece in', delivering a crate of Lucozade, which caused everyone to laugh.
The Impact of Constant Security and Public Scrutiny
Reflecting on this incident, McCool expressed his sadness, stating, 'I kind of caught Brooklyn and looked at him and thought, "wow, this life is crackers", he probably thought everyone was laughing at him'. He added that Brooklyn's life was constantly flanked by security, even during training sessions, which contributed to his concerns.
McCool further explained that Brooklyn's emotional state worried him, as he never displayed extreme highs or lows, instead appearing to be in a daze and often embarrassed. Despite this, McCool came to the defence of David and Victoria Beckham, suggesting they were in a difficult position trying to protect their son while giving him space.
Allegations of Paparazzi Tip-Offs
Elsewhere in the ITV programme, Afton McKeith, who claims to have had a brief romance with Brooklyn during their sixth form in 2017, made allegations about paparazzi involvement. McKeith, the daughter of TV personality Gillian McKeith, suggested that someone with intimate knowledge of Brooklyn's schedule was tipping off paparazzi about his whereabouts.
She stated, 'I do know that there were paparazzi every single, like, pretty much every day. And somebody would've been organising that, who knew his schedule inside out'. When asked if she thought it was his parents, McKeith refused to comment further but shared a knowing look, implying her suspicions.
Brooklyn's Recent Statements and Family Tensions
This revelation comes after Brooklyn Beckham, now 26, made explosive statements last week, declaring he does not wish to reconcile with his family. He criticised what he called 'performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships' as fixtures of the life he was born into.
McKeith supported Brooklyn's decision to speak out, noting that constant false narratives in the press can become overwhelming and stressful. She emphasised that putting children in the public eye is very exposing and that protecting them should be a priority.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Brooklyn Beckham and his parents for comment on these allegations and insights, but no response has been provided at this time.
