London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe will offer David Beckham a role for the Games after the midfielder's dreams of playing for Great Britain in the Olympics were dashed.
Beckham, 37, spoke of his bitter disappointment after confirming he misses out - Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards will be the three over-age players in the 18-man squad.
Coe will discuss with Beckham what role he could play for the organisation during the Games after he played a key role in securing the Olympics for London back in 2005. Coe said: "Team selections are up to the coaches and managers of each sport.
"David has been an extraordinary supporter, probably our number one supporter, of the Games from the very beginning and is keen to continue his enthusiastic support right to the end. He really gets this.
"He is from east London and knows how important the Games and sport are to young people. He is a great role model and we are lucky to have such an advocate. I will be talking to him about a Games time role."
Meanwhile, neither Manchester United's Chris Smalling nor Tottenham's Kyle Walker will be in the squad due to the injuries that ruled them out of England's Euro 2012 matches. But Tom Cleverley, the 22-year-old United midfielder who also missed Euro 2012 through injury, is expected to be named in the squad.
Beckham had harboured hopes of being picked by Stuart Pearce but has been informed by the Team GB coach that he will not get one of the overage slots. He said in a statement released to the Press Association: "Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me, so I would have been honoured to have been part of this unique Team GB squad.
"Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold. As a Londoner I was really proud to have played a small part in bringing the Olympics to my home town as part of Seb's team and I can't wait for the Games to begin and will enjoy every moment along with the rest of Great Britain."
Beckham is understood to have been told by Pearce that he had chosen to pick Manchester City defender Richards instead because he wanted stronger defensive options. The need for defensive cover was exacerbated after Smalling and Walker were both ruled out.
Other under-23 players who are almost certain to be confirmed by Pearce include Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Tottenham's Gareth Bale.
Source: PA
