PARIS ST GERMAIN boss Carlo Ancelotti believes David Beckham could confound expectations and become a manager.

Beckham seems likely to have played his final professional game after the emotional farewell he received while captaining PSG against Brest on Saturday.

There remains an outside chance of him being involved in the Ligue 1 champions’ last game of the season against Lorient next weekend, but the manner of his 82nd-minute departure at the Parc de Princes – a deafening ovation and warm embraces with numerous team-mates – suggest the former England captain has taken to the field for the final time.

Lorient’s artificial pitch seems to be the deciding factor, with 38-year-old Beckham wary of the extra physical demands imposed by such a surface.

The battle for Beckham’s services will quickly ensue, with offers sure to flood in from inside football and from every other commercial avenue imaginable.

The daily managerial grind has long appeared an unlikely destination for a man of Beckham’s A-list status, but Ancelotti believes it is a possibility.

‘‘Today he finished as an old player, tomorrow he will be perhaps a young manager,’’ the Italian said after PSG’s 3-1 win over Brest.

‘‘I’m proud of having coached a great player and professional who gave a beautiful image to the game of football. I respect him.’’ The scale of Beckham’s Paris send-off may have seemed at odds with the fact that he spent just four months with the club, but Ancelotti said: ‘‘It was the right thing to do to choose Beckham as captain for his last match.

‘‘All the players backed the decision. Beckham will have a lovely memory of this night.’’ Beckham said: “It was a nice way to go out – in front of my own fans, in front of a capacity crowd that were excited because we’ve won the league. The celebrations have been incredible, so it’s a nice way to walk off the pitch,’’ he said.

“It’s really special for an Englishman to be captain of PSG, especially on a night that meant so much to the club and the players. It was an amazing gesture and one I’ll always be thankful for.’’ Meanwhile, it appears Real Madrid target Ancelotti could also be set to leave PSG after asking to be released from his contract, according to sporting director Leonardo.

In a meeting with Leonardo and chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi yesterday, Ancelotti told the pair he wishes to leave ‘‘for Madrid’’, according to Leonardo.

A vacancy is expected to materialise at Real Madrid this summer, with speculation continuing to link their coach Jose Mourinho with a return to his former club Chelsea.

Leonardo told L’Equipe: ‘‘Carlo has asked to leave for Madrid but we want him to stay. No decision has been taken, we listened to Carlo and we will have to see.

‘‘The priority is still that he stays. We have not contacted any other coaches.’’ As well as leading PSG to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years, they also reached the Champions League quarterfinal.