Capello wants Beckham to stay

REAL MADRID coach Fabio Capello has admitted he would welcome the possibility of David Beckham remaining with the club beyond the end of this season.

Beckham has been in sensational form for Madrid in recent months, playing a key role in the club’s title charge which could see them crowned Spanish champions for the first time since 2003 when they face Real Mallorca this weekend.

The former England captain is set to join Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy this summer when his four-year contract with the Spanish giants comes to an end, but there are suggestions from Madrid president Ramon Calderon of a possible U-turn.

There were reports in Spain yesterday of a potential escape clause in Beckham’s Galaxy contract, which Calderon said he would be looking into in an attempt to keep the player at the Bernabeu.

Although Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has dismissed any suggestion Beckham will not be moving to the US this summer, for Capello, any chance of Beckham turning out for Madrid next season is good news.

“Beckham would be a very important player for Madrid, there’s no doubt about that. If the club tells me that Beckham is staying, I would be very happy,” Capello said in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS.

Capello added: “We have all made mistakes regarding Beckham’s issue.

“On the sporting side we have made a decision and I am the one that has the maximum responsibility.

“The truth is that with him (Beckham) we made a mistake.

“Beckham is a great player. Now he is playing at the same level as he did at Manchester (United).

“He is a player that has recovered his physical and psychological condition because he was upset not to be playing with his national team.”