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Beckham: Coach has say on picking captain

Comment: 0 February 17th, 2012 by: admin

IS it the coach or the Football Association? For David Beckham, the decision on who would name the England captain falls on the former.

“Coach’s call,” he said. “You know I think that’s always the case.”

On Thursday, Beckham expressed his views for the first time surrounding the recent resignation of Fabio Capello as boss of the Three Lions.

“Obviously a decision was taken … to take the captaincy away from John (Terry). Going forward I’m sure the captain will be picked by the next manager,” he added.

The 36-year-old playmaker has not given up his hopes of being named again to the England squad even after Capello said last year that he is too old for international duty.

Even so, the former national team skipper said he was disappointed that Capello quit. But he respected his decision, he added.

Speaking to reporters after training with the LA Galaxy, Beckham said: “I’ve been working with Fabio for quite a few years. It’s sad, obviously that he stepped down at a critical stage for England.”

Beckham said he has lots of respect for the Italian mentor. “You know he’s done it for his own reasons. He’s a person I respect a lot. I wish him all the best.”

The tumultuous sting of Capello as England manager ended last week when he quit after a meeting with the FA, the football governing body in England, who stripped Terry of the captaincy following his alleged racial abuse on Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry, who has denied the charge, was backed by Capello who criticised the FA for not consulting him about the sacking of the veteran playmaker.

In the same breadth, Beckham also expressed his backing to Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, who is said to be being eyed to replace Capello.

“Harry’s a great man, great manager. His man management is incredible,” he said. “I know players, obviously, who have played up with him. I’ve trained under him. He’s not just a great manager but he’s a great person as well.”

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