David Beckham's profile would be a coup for the A-League, but winning a championship with the English star would be difficult, Football Federation Australia technical director Han Berger says.
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Several clubs - including Melbourne Heart, Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory - have signalled their intentions to approach the 37-year-old once his US commitments are complete.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star would be the biggest name to play in the Australian domestic competition.
Beckham would follow Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC), ex-England striker Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets) and Japanese icon Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers).
All three have endured vastly different levels of on-field success since joining the A-League.
Del Piero has been a class above his fellow Sky Blues, as they languish at the foot of the table, Heskey's bag of goals has propelled the Jets into title contention, while the Wanderers have surprised with a solid start in their first campaign.
Berger believed having a marquee player could lead to having disharmony in the playing group and force the coach to alter his style to adjust to the player's requirements.
''From a marketing and a media perspective, it would be great,'' Berger said.
''I'm not always so sure about the marquee players and the consequences of that for a team.''
''Personally, with my coaching background and history, I look at how can I make a team successful.
''And more often than not it's better to have a strong collective rather than the one player that stands out.''
Berger was in Canberra as a guest speaker to 70 coaches at the Capital Football Coaching Conference at the University of Canberra on Sunday.
He has been the FFA's technical director since 2009 and has previously coached extensively in the Netherlands, including at top-tier club FC Utrecht.
Canberra youngster Tom Rogic is making waves after a promising Socceroos debut in their friendly with South Korea.
The 19-year-old will get another chance to impress at the East Asian Cup qualifiers in December.
Berger described Rogic as ''a special player'', but said he would have to be patient before making a move overseas.
''It depends what opportunity comes up,'' Berger said.
''Unfortunately too many young Australians make the wrong decision and they sign for a big club but don't get any game-time.
''Technically he's great and can create situations, especially the killer pass, providing opportunities for strikers.''
Berger said the Socceroos were in a transition period and it was important young players were woven in so Australia could be competitive at the 2014 World Cup.