Real Madrid misjudged David Beckham this season and blundered
over their treatment of the player, according to coach Fabio
Capello.
"We all made mistakes over Beckham," Capello told sports daily
AS on Monday.
"The sporting staff decided things and I'm responsible for that
section of the club, but the truth is, we got things wrong with
him.
"It's a shame he's going. He has now recovered his best physical
and psychological form. He is a great player and is now playing as
he did when he was at Manchester United."
After playing a bit-part role at Real in the first half of the
season, Beckham announced in January that he would be leaving the
club to sign a five-year deal with LA Galaxy.
He was immediately told by Capello that he would never play for
Real again because he would not be focused on the club.
However, Capello reversed his decision to sideline the
32-year-old a month later, citing the player's professional
attitude in training as the reason for his U-turn.
Capello said that England coach Steve McClaren's decision to
drop Beckham after last yea's World Cup had taken its toll on the
former national captain in the first part of the season.
"He was very upset at not being in the national team," he
said.
"For all players being in the national side is important, but
more so for the English."
Capello explained he would now back the club in trying to
persuade Beckham to remain in Spain.
"He would be a very important player for Real," he said. "If the
club told me Beckham was staying, I would be very happy."
Real president Ramon Calderon said on Sunday that he would try
and set up a meeting to persuade Beckham to back out of his move to
the US, but the player's spokesman responded by saying there was no
chance of him remaining with the Spanish club.
(China Daily via Reuters June 12, 2007)