Capello calls time on Beckham's career in brutal fashion

The dysfunctional nature of Capello's England regime was exposed once again after the Italian revealed in a television interview, actually conducted on Monday but broadcast prior to last night's friendly against Hungary, that he considered Beckham too old at 35 to continue a career that has encompassed 115 caps, 17 goals and three World Cups.

"Thank you for helping me during the World Cup, but probably [he is] a little bit old," Capello said. "Thank you."Yet the Italian last night admitted that he had, as yet, been unable to communicate as much to the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, who is in rehabilitation from an achilles injury, in the 48 hours since the interview was conducted, with Beckham's representative duly reacting in surprise at the news.