You're finished! Capello kills off David Beckham's career!
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You're finished: Fabio Capello kills off David Beckham's England career... but doesn't bother to tell him first
Steven Gerrard rescued Fabio Capello from further ridicule on a night when the England manager blundered into a storm about David Beckham’s future.
Gerrard stuck twice in four minutes after Hungary had taken a controversial lead at Wembley with a goal which did not cross the line.
Captain marvel: Steven Gerrard roars his delight after scoring the first of his two goals which gave England victory
It seemed a cruel twist on England’s World Cup exit in South Africa but Capello’s revelations that Beckham was ‘probably too old’ to be part of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign dominated the friendly win.
The former captain’s camp knew nothing of the pre-match revelations.
‘We have to look for new players, young players,’ said Capello afterwards, reiterating comments made in a pre-match TV interview before back-tracking to invite Beckham, 35, to win his 116th cap later in the season.
‘I hope, when David is OK, he can play here in a friendly at Wembley to say bye-bye and thank you very much. I won’t pick him for any more competitive games. I change it. We need players for the future.’
Surprise announcement: Capello
This swansong idea points at dates in October and November but if the midfielder is fit after his achilles injury, he will be playing for LA Galaxy in the MLS play-offs.
Beckham’s spokesman confirmed there had been no talks about retiring, adding: ‘He will always be available for his country, when fit and if needed he’ll be there.’
However, Capello added: ‘I think David knows he has no future with the national team because we have to change. I have to look for new players. I have to think about the future.’
Inspirational Gerrard paid tribute to Beckham’s 14-year international career. ‘He has legendary status,’ he said. ‘If he’s played his last game, he’ll be missed because, on and off the pitch, he’s a great guy.
‘But you never know with David. If he hears that news, it’ll drive him on and he’ll try to prove people wrong. He loves playing for England.’
No future: Capello called time on Beckham's international career
Capello was impressed by Michael Dawson, Bobby Zamora, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere, who won their first caps, and praised the efforts of Adam Johnson and Ashley Young.
Wilshere spent the previous night in hospital with stomach pains. Senior players were booed and Wayne Rooney, without an England goal for 11 months, was jeered when he was replaced by James Milner, reacting with sarcastic applause.
Capello said: ‘I’m sure the fans love Rooney. He’s a really important England player but we have to wait. He’s not in a good moment and has to play more. He’s one of the most important players in the world and the fans want him to make a difference and play really well. He has had 45 minutes in one game, 45 in another and 65 minutes
tonight. It’s impossible.’ -
David Beckham: I'll NEVER retire from England duty - but Fabio Capello says midfield hero is finished
David Beckham insists he has no intention of retiring from international football despite Fabio Capello's assertion that the midfielder's England career is over.
The Italian believes that at 35 Beckham is 'too old' to resume his England career during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Capello made the pronouncement in a TV interview before England's 2-1 win against Hungary on Wednesday night - without even speaking to the veteran. But the former Manchester United does not appear ready to go quietly without a fight.
Bad news: Beckham returns to LA Galaxy training on Wednesday
'I've always said that I won't retire from playing from my country, whether I never get picked again, play one more game or 10 more games,' said Beckham yesterday, just hours before Capello delivered his verdict on the 115-cap hero.
Back in action: Beckham is recovering well from his achilles injury
Speaking at the Home Depot Center, the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham tellingly added: 'Some people say at my age, you kind of start not loving football as much as when you were 21, but I still do.'
As if to prove his youthfulness, Beckham's recovering from the devastating achilles injury he suffered in March is ahead of schedule.
Nonetheless, Capello delivered the cruellest of public snubs to the complete bewilderment of the global icon.
‘We have to look for new players, young players,’ said Capello to reiterate comments made in a pre-match TV interview before back-tracking to invite Beckham, 35, to win his 116th cap later in the season.
‘I hope, when David is OK, he can play here in a friendly at Wembley to say bye-bye and thank you very much. I won’t pick him for any more competitive games. I change it. We need players for the future.
‘I think David knows he has no future with the national team because we have to change. I have to look for new players. I have to think about the future.’
No future: Capello called time on Beckham's international career
Beckham’s spokesman confirmed there had been no talks about retiring, adding: ‘He will always be available for his country, when fit and if needed he’ll be there.’
Steven Gerrard, England's captain for the night on Wednesday, paid tribute to Beckham’s 14-year international career. ‘He has legendary status,’ he said. ‘If he’s played his last game, he’ll be missed because, on and off the pitch, he’s a great guy.
‘But you never know with David. If he hears that news, it’ll drive him on and he’ll try to prove people wrong. He loves playing for England.’
Hero: Gerrard (No 4) scores his second against Hungary
Beckham joined in light training with his Galaxy team-mates and is scheduled to travel to New York for Saturday's game against the Red Bulls.
His passion to play again as soon as possible has been tempered by the reality of his injury. Beckham said: 'Doctors have told me not to rush coming back because if I re-tear it, I won't play again. That kind of stuck in my mind.'
End of the world: Beckham missed South Africa 2010 after rupturing an achilles
Yet Beckham's team-mates were astonished by his condition. Midfielder Chris Klein said: 'I was expecting him to be kind of walking around and being a mascot out here.
'But to see him moving around and kicking the ball that he did and running the way that he is, it's remarkable.'
Defender Todd Dunivant added: 'You don't want to count David out. Anyone that has done that during his career, he has proven them wrong.'