McCartney fought for Best’s attention to be part of the group first and the girls, second.

I used to get on Pete’s case a bit. He would roll back again around 10 in the morning and be going to bed when we’d be starting work. I think that had something to do with the rift starting.

The Beatles, Anthology, 53.

Solidarity and a strong work ethic were sought by McCartney and Best could not reconcile his communal manhood camaraderie with the other three as effectively as Starr did. Since their arrival in Hamburg, Best showed disinterest in socializing with the other three members of the group. His communal manhood was not perceptible enough to meet the others’ needs. Best did not associate with the other three during off hours. His isolation eventually led to their emotional separation from him. His behavior did not facilitate the group’s work responsibilities, and so, aspects of budding passionate masculinity that was to be experienced together did not occur.

Harrison was in agreement:

Pete would never hang out with us. When we finished doing the gig, Pete would go off on his own and we three would hang out together, and then when Ringo was around it was like a full unit, both on and off the stage. When there were the four of us with Ringo, it felt rocking

Ibid., 49.

Best appeared on talk shows to discuss the break-up, but this writer has yet to notice whether he has spoken about his personal relationship with the other three Beatles. Best alluded to why he was asked to leave the group when he appeared on David Letterman’s The Late Show on July 14, 1982.

In a nutshell, Dave, jealousy.

Pete Best on Letterman July 14, 1982,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoLn3q4e9Qs

Best alluded to a negative fan reaction when it was learned that he was no longer with the group and Starr had taken his place. McCartney once mentioned:

He was a good drummer, and when Hamburg came up he joined us. He was a very good-looking guy, and out of all the people in our group, the girls used to go for Pete.

The Beatles, Anthology,

When George Martin first heard The Beatles, he did not approve of Best’s drumming on “Love Me Do.” Alongside the suggestion of an unsteady beat, Best was eventually asked to leave the group by Epstein.

Lennon’s statement on Best:

He was a lousy drummer, you know? He never improved and there was always this myth being built up over the years that he was great and Paul was jealous of him because he was pretty and all that crap.

Sam Kemp, “John Lennon on why he got “sick” of The Beatles drummer Pete Best,” Far Out, https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-john-lennon-sick-of-pete-best/.

The communal bond of loyalty and camaraderie appears to hold a steadier beat. It was also a sensitive time when The Beatles’ passionate manhood preferences were forming. Best did not realize that his insensitivity to their need to have him close was not being acknowledged.

P.S. Take another look at the album cover:

What do you see?