Ever since England’s dismal World Cup campaign came to an end Fabio Capello has been the subject of much criticism from both fans and the press.
His decision this week to call time on David Beckham’s international career has only compounded that.
But it is not necessarily his decision that is the issue. It is the manner in which the Italian chose to do it.
Surely a former England captain, and a player who has won 115 caps (and scored 17 goals) for his country, should not be told he is surplus to requirements through a bizarre interview Capello gave with ITV’s Gabriele Clarke.
Beckham deserves better. Much better.
After all he is one of the greatest players of his generation and wore the captain’s armband with more pride than anyone in the last 20 years.
He single handedly got England to the 2002 World Cup with ‘that free kick’ against Greece and fought his way back into the international arena after Steve McClaren dropped him in a ridiculous bid to stamp his mark on the England team.
Predictably McClaren cemented his place in the record books as one of the worst England manager’s of all time, and as ‘the whally with the brolly’, as the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Beckham was missed and was quickly back in the England squad under Capello, under whom he had won La Liga with Real Madrid in 2007, and went on to help England reach this year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Beckham’s impact on the national team was huge, especially at a time when more and more players are turning their backs on their national teams in a bid to prolong their domestic careers. Such is his influence Beckham became part of Capello’s backroom staff for the World Cup, after being ruled out of playing due to an achilles injury he suffered playing for AC Milan.
As a result, Beckham has been an integral part of the England side ever since he made his debut in 1996. Therefore, he should have been treated with the respect his career deserves by a manager who claims to have a great relationship with him.
However, it is this claim that suggests Capello is succumb to the pressure of being the England manager.
In the last week the Italian has ended a legend’s international career, been ignored by Ashley Cole after the Community Shield, called up two random goalkeepers to sit on the bench against Hungary, and finally shown no emotion when Steven Gerrard rescued England from being a goal down.
Personally, I think Capello’s time in charge is expiring rapidly and a couple of dodgy results in the coming months may well see the Italian head for the exit door.
If this does happen, don’t count out the possibility of Beckham making another comeback. Maybe even as manager.
Image from: dailymail.co.uk
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