David Beckham admits he would love to see Jose Mourinho return to the Premier League as soon as possible.

The Portuguese remains out of work following his sacking by Chelsea in December but Beckham believes that situation will not sully his name and has backed him to make a swift return to England's top flight.

"Jose leaving Chelsea, who would have expected that after the season they had last year? It doesn't make him a bad manager," Beckham told talkSPORT.

"He is still one of the best managers and I hope he comes back to the Premier League as soon as possible.

"The Premier League is the Premier League for the great players we bring in, the great teams, the money, the fans and the great characters that we have as managers. You want to see managers like that in the game."

Regarding the constant speculation linking Mourinho with Manchester United, Beckham feels current manager Louis van Gaal could still be the man to change things around at his former club.

"He is an experienced manager with a great reputation in the game," the former United and England captain added.

"Sometimes it takes time. It is not easy being manager of Man United.

"We have to look at results, we have to look at the way we play, we have to listen to fans - the people that really matter at the club - and I only hear great things about him as a person, as a manager, as a coach

"I have met him once before and he treated me unbelievably well. He is manager of Manchester United so there is always going to be criticism, but at the end of the season let's see what happens."