Brooklyn Beckham's former youth football coach has expressed sympathy for the star amid his family feud, claiming he witnessed "bizarre carry on" and a "strange dynamic"
Luke Thrower and Neil Docking
11:02, 23 Jan 2026
Brooklyn Beckham is at the centre of a storm after calling out his parents David and Victoria's alleged behaviour
View 7 Images
Brooklyn Beckham is at the centre of a storm after calling out his parents David and Victoria's alleged behaviour(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Brooklyn Beckham has received support from his former academy football coach who claims he witnessed some "bizarre carry on" and a "strange dynamic" with his family.
The high-profile row intensified this week as Brooklyn stood by his wife Nicola Peltz while launching an attack on David and Victoria Beckham in a startling development. The 26-year-old issued a bombshell statement slamming his parents, declaring he "does not want to reconcile" with them.
Brooklyn lashed out at his family by claiming they had leaked stories about him to the media, while a split emerged around his wedding to Nicola Peltz Beckham. One of the most explosive revelations involved Brooklyn's accusations against his mum Victoria, 51, alleging she 'hijacked' his first dance with Nicola and was "dancing inappropriately on" him before their 500 wedding guests.
Brooklyn Beckham, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive at The Fashion Awards 2018 In Partnership With Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall
View 7 Images
Brooklyn Beckham released a statement about his estranged family(Image: (Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images for BFC))
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
He remains the sole family member to publicly air his version of the messy dispute, with sources telling the Mirror he has 'no regrets' about speaking out. As the family drama takes centre stage, a former football coach of Brooklyn's - from his teenage years - has shed light on what he observed regarding their family dynamics.
Brooklyn had trained with Queens Park Rangers in 2013, when he was just 14, while trying to break into professional football. The official QPR Twitter (now X) account tweeted - at the time: "Contrary to reports, Brooklyn Beckham has been training at #QPR but has not joined our academy."
During this period, he would have trained under Anthony McCool, a former academy coach at the West London outfit, who has also worked in scouting roles. Amid all the turmoil involving Brooklyn and the reported rift with his family, McCool took to LinkedIn to reveal his own insights into the Beckham family dynamics.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham
View 7 Images
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham(Image: )
He explained: "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 [I have] certainly seen the anxiety.
"He might have got this situation wrong, I'm not on either side because I don't know them and his parents were always polite to me. But 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.
"My short window into that life left me some funny stories, also some sad ones and I realised how tough it must have been for the lad. Yet I had coached many lads of famous parents, mostly well-known footballers.
Baby Brooklyn was in the spotlight from birth with his dad David Beckham
View 7 Images
Baby Brooklyn was in the spotlight from birth with his dad David Beckham(Image: Getty Images)
"But this spell was on another serious level. It would make a good chapter in my book. What it did do was open my eyes. Being super wealthy and famous isn't an automatic ticket to happiness.
"It's hard to 'sympathise' or empathise because most of us will never know. But being flanked by permanent security at 14, plus the many other things I seen made me realise I shouldn't judge because I haven't walked a mile in them shoes, or his parents to be fair.
"I am sure they will close ranks and resolve their differences. I hope so. (and David, thanks for paying me back that £6)."
Brooklyn Beckham at Arsenal
View 7 Images
Brooklyn Beckham at Arsenal(Image: Instagram)
At 15, Brooklyn signed an academy contract with Arsenal. Coaches at the Premier League club were said to have been impressed by his skills after training with the club's under-16 side.
Having previously had trials with Manchester United, Chelsea and Fulham, he was later called up to the Gunners' Under-18 squad, but it was then revealed Arsenal would not be offering him a professional deal, with coaches viewing other players in his position to be more developed.
And he decided to quit the game, with his dad later telling ABC: "One of my boys turned around to me the other day and said, 'Daddy, I'm not sure I want to play football all the time'.
Brooklyn has been a part of 'Brand Beckham' with his mum Victoria since he was a young boy
View 7 Images
Brooklyn has been a part of 'Brand Beckham' with his mum Victoria since he was a young boy(Image: PA)
"It broke my heart a little bit. He said, 'Every time I step on to the field, I know people are saying, 'This is David Beckham's son', and if I am not as good as you, then it is not good enough'.
"I said, 'Okay, stop right there… You play because you want to play'. I don't want them [my children] to have that pressure. I want them to be happy. As long as they're happy, that's all I care about."
Brooklyn later agreed, saying: "My dad wasn't sad, because he was like, 'I just want you to be happy'. But of course, I was sad. It was my whole life since I was literally two."
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz
View 7 Images
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz(Image: Instagram/nicolaannepeltzbeckham)
The aftermath of the family dispute continues to unfold publicly, with uncertainty lingering over whether the warring sides will eventually reconcile.
The situation remains particularly sensitive given the accusations Brooklyn levelled against his own relatives. Following his son's remarks, David Beckham offered his perspective during an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box.
Article continues below
David explained: "I've been able to use my platform and my following for Unicef, and it's been the biggest tool to make people aware of what's going on around the world for children. I've tried to do the same. I've tried to do the same with my children to educate them.
"They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That's how they learn. So that's what I try to teach my kids. But you know, you have got to sometimes let them make those mistakes, as well."