Meet David Beckham’s best friend and business partner David Gardner – who has 2 children with Liv Tyler, and is now dating Victoria’s Secret model Jessica Clarke
Beckham and Gardner became friends on Manchester United’s youth team; they stayed close over the years, and Gardner not only works on many of Beckham’s projects, but is Brooklyn Beckham’s godfather
That’s not to say he hasn’t lived a glamorous life of his own of course – particularly when it comes to his relationships and work. So just who is the 49-year-old footballer turned businessman, who is never far from the Beckhams’ orbit?
How did David Gardner meet David Beckham?
As reported by The Guardian, David Gardner first met David Beckham when the pair were both chosen for Manchester United’s youth team. Wishing Gardner happy birthday in 2021, Beckham wrote on Facebook: “Happy Birthday mate. Since the age of 15 we have been mates. Have the best day today cause you deserve it as an amazing friend.”
While Gardner was clearly a talented member of Manchester United’s youth team – helping them to win the FA Youth Cup in 1995 – he wasn’t superstar material like his friend, and eventually decided to transition to a different career.
What does David Gardner do for work?
In his mid 20s, Gardner teamed up with Jason Ferguson – the son of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson – to form a sports agency called Elite Sports. By 2001, they were not only handling exclusive Beckham merchandise at the height of his fame, but also aiding high profile player transfers.
A few years later, Gardner reportedly branched out on his own, becoming director at DB Ventures Ltd, overseeing all of Beckham’s commercial businesses, partnerships and global brand management, per Pitchbook.