As Los Angeles Galaxy fans react with shock and horror that David Beckham has now decided he wants to stay in Milan, General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena sees it differently. Quoted on the team's website Arena was very clear where he stood.

"Whatever is on record I don't really concern myself with too much," he said. "This is a business, and we'll attend to this matter like we attend to every matter related to the Galaxy. We'll do whatever is in the best interest of the team and the organization."

Having been quoted last week as assuring LA Galaxy fans that David Beckham would be returning as previously agreed on March 9th, Arena is finding the press interest rather comical.

"Most of the things I enjoy when I do read them. Not only those about David but everything. It's kind of humorous when you understand what's going on behind the scenes. I won't let it be a distraction. It won't be," he said. "Whatever happens, happens, and whatever concludes will be in the best interests of the Galaxy."

The Los Angeles Times has a very different opinion:

"The Galaxy, and owner AEG, had two options. They could simply and flatly have stated that Beckham was under contract, that the contract would have to be honored and that no offers would be considered. Or they could have played the game the way the big clubs do -- the way Real Madrid and Manchester United circled each other over the future of star player Cristiano Ronaldo last year, or the way AC Milan and Manchester City indulged in all sorts of give-and-take over the future of Kaka this year. Instead of going into hiding, the Galaxy and AEG could have and should have turned the tables.

"They could have started by saying that as long as AC Milan was courting their player, they would expect something in return -- say a Ronaldinho or an Andrei Shevchenko, both of whom languish on the AC Milan bench. That would have tossed a cat among the San Siro pigeons."

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