Capello Plays Down Role In Becks Move

14 March 2009 14:09
England manager Fabio Capello claims he had little to do with David Beckham's decision to join AC Milan.[LNB]Despite being contracted to Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham signed a short-term loan deal to join the Serie A giants last December and has since come to an agreement which will mean he stays at Milan until the end of this campaign and then rejoins them in October after a spell with the Galaxy.[LNB]The 33-year-old midfielder has since claimed that a motivating factor for his move was to improve his chances of staying in the England frame ahead of the 2010 World Cup.[LNB]Less than a month before signing the deal Beckham had been left out of Capello's squad that travelled to Berlin to play Germany in a friendly - when the Italian boss cited his lack of match practice as a reason for his omission.[LNB]At that time Beckham had been out of action for a month because the US Major League Soccer season was in its off-season and the player has since admitted it was a scenario he could not live with.[LNB]And while Capello admits Beckham did contact him before making his move about life in Milan, he denied he had made his mind up for him.[LNB]"He decided. He asked me about Milan and I told him it was a good place," Capello told Football Focus.[LNB]Beckham's stay in AC Milan was extended earlier this month after weeks of negotiations between AC Milan and Galaxy concluded with a unique 'timeshare' agreement.[LNB]The deal will see Beckham stay at Milan until the end of the season, return to the Galaxy from July to October and then rejoin the Serie A club for the rest of the campaign.[LNB]The former England captain was delighted with the arrangement and reiterated his World Cup ambitions.[LNB]"One of the reasons for staying at Milan is to give me the chance to play in the 2010 World Cup," he said. "I have to do everything I can do to be involved in that.[LNB]"Everyone knows how passionate I am about playing for my country and, if it gives me a better chance, I'll do anything possible to make that happen."[LNB]

Source: Eurosport