Ruud Gullit knows the importance of David Beckham's role at LA Galaxy, but says he will not offer the England man any special treatment.
The former Newcastle and Chelsea boss will begin his tenure by overseeing Galaxy's 2008 Major League Soccer campaign and insisted Beckham, whose debut season was wrecked by injury, would be treated like anyone else.
"But when we are on the pitch he has to do the same things that the other players have to do.
"As a coach we try to use his experience because that is the reason why he came here, and of course his ability as a player.
"He has a role of helping other players to understand the game a little bit better so he is going to be a link with the other players but as a person he will be treated as equally as anyone else."
Beckham was recalled to the England squad yesterday and Gullit insisted he had no qualms about the former Real Madrid midfielder being called up.
"When you play in Europe you have to deal with this all the time and I am not worried about it ," he said.
"David will decide whether or not he wants to play for England, it's up to him."