Soccer Limey in America

I have been a fan of David Beckham through the majority of his career. He has been as close to the modern era’s Bobby Charlton than any other player in my view. Always prepared to give 110%, he has represented his clubs and his country with pride and passion. Today Capello chose to try to end Beckham’s international career, AGAIN. His reasons are based on youth and he feels that Beckham is too old to be of value anymore and will not be chosen for any future squads, except maybe one more time “so he can say goodbye to the fans”.

My reasons for casting Capello out to the dogs has nothing to do with my personal respect for Beckham. It has everything to do with how the fans, the media, and most importantly, his fellow players see Beckham. If Capello wants to reinvigorate the squad, and generate some team spirit and togetherness today’s actions only served to push the squad away even further. Capello has learnt nothing from the World Cup debacle. His methods and man-management have come under greater scrutiny since June, and it appears that the players failed to respond to his training methods, tactics, and apparently, the man himself. Today’s athletes are not the same animals as that from the 60′s and 70′s. You cannot rule them anymore with an iron fist without at the same time showing you care about their welfare, and their happiness. I am not for one moment advocating that we should get back to “Wally with the Brolly” days where everyone was your friend and there were no boundaries between player and coach, but you have to move with the times, and use common sense. It now is a little clearer as to why Wes Brown and Paul Robinson threw in the towel on this man.

There was no good reason for Fabio Capello to say what he said today. Beckham isn’t even fit yet and wouldn’t be available conceivably until after the New Year, and realized himself that he would only be considered if he could get to play in Europe in the MLS off season, which is unlikely. He would most likely have played himself out of contention on his own. He is no fool, but Capello just couldn’t resist making a complete ass of himself today, and I, for one, have run out of patience. Some people may say “it’s the language barrier”. OK. Then get someone who can state what the man means to say and get his sorry ass out from under the microphone.

If you can take a leaf out of other successful manager’s playbooks, hardliners such as Ferguson, Benitez, Moyes, Shankly, Clough, and even Ramsey, all learnt how to praise their players as well as castigating them. All successful managers talk glowingly about their best players whilst berating them in private. When was the last time you heard Capello praising any of his squad ? Hardly ever, if at all.