DUBAI — Sven-Goran Eriksson will try to convince former England captain David Beckham to join him at Al-Nasr after the experienced Swedish coach signed an 18-month contract as a technical advisor of the United Arab Emirates club.



“If he wants to come I’m sure they would open the gates for him,” Eriksson told reporters in Dubai when asked about the possibility of signing free agent Beckham. “I still speak with him, although I don’t know where he will finish up.”



Eriksson signed an 18-month contract with Al-Nasr Monday and will oversee youth programs and also work with manager Walter Zenga and the club’s board to identify transfer targets.



Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Beckham, 37, has been without a club since leaving LA Galaxy last month and has been linked with moves to France, England, China and Australia.



The much traveled Eriksson, 64, held a similar role with Thai club BEC Tero Sasana for a brief period last year but the former Lazio, Benfica, Manchester City and Ivory Coast boss defended his regular moves. — Reuters