Capello Won't Pick Beckham For England

Thursday, 12th August 2010 at 06:05am

As he looks to blood the next generation of England players ahead of Euro 2012, national team coach Fabio Capello has said in a TV interview that he won't select former captain David Beckham for any further competitive matches.

Following England's humbling 4-1 defeat by a young German side in South Africa in the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match, Capello has stated he wants to rebuild the side around younger players.

Beckham, 35, has recently declared his desire to keep playing for the England national side in a view to going to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 when he will be 39.

Following heavy criticism for the manner of the defeat to Germany and calls to select some of England's up-and-coming talents, Capello made 13 changes to the squad that travelled to South Africa, recalling the likes of Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson and Ashley Young and calling up uncapped Arsenal duo Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere.

When asked whether the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder would feature for England, Capello replied: : "No, I need to change it. David is a fantastic player but I think we need new players for the future."

It is thought that Capello has not contacted Beckham directly which has drawn criticism from sections of the media, but it was revealed that England's number two Franco Baldini has spoken directly to the ex-skipper.

After England's 2-1 win against Hungary at Wembley where both Theo Walcott and Manchester City winger Adam Johnson impressed in wide roles, Capello said he hoped to give Beckham a farewell game at Wembley so England fans could give him an appropriate send off.

"If he is fit, I hope we will play one more game here at Wembley so the fans can say goodbye."

With 115 caps, Beckham is England's most capped outfield player, last appearing as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Belarus in October, 2009.

Following the revelations, Beckham's agent released a statement saying that the player had no desire to retire from international football and if called upon would have no qualms about returning to the national set up.

The global footballing icon was an early casualty of the ill-fated Steve McLaren reign in 2006 but was recalled to the squad when England's qualification for Euro 2008 hit a rocky patch.

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