Beckham in England fitness battle

David Beckham concedes he faces an uphill battle to win a coveted 100th England cap against France on 26 March. England boss Fabio Capello did not pick Beckham, 32, for this month’s win over Switzerland and he fears a lack of fitness could see him sidelined again.

“I’ve no match fitness,” said Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy in Korea on Saturday. “All I’ve done is training.

“I would love to reach the 100 caps, but I have to be physically ready to be part of the team.”

The former England captain played under Capello at Real Madrid and, though the Italian says Beckham is still part of his plans, the midfielder accepts his selection policy.

“I’ve played for Capello before, and he’s a great manager,” Beckham said.

“He is a manager that will pick players that are fit enough. I understand he selected others who played more games.”

Beckham left out of England squad

David Beckham has been left out of Fabio Capello’s first England squad to play Switzerland on 6 February. It means Beckham will be left still searching for his 100th cap, although Capello has not fully closed the door on the 32-year-old former captain.

Capello, who also dropped Beckham at Real Madrid, is thought to have had doubts over his match fitness.

The Italian will name his provisional party at 1530 GMT on Thursday, with the final squad announced on Saturday.

Beckham has not played a competitive game since England’s Euro qualifying defeat by Croatia on 21 November.

However, Beckham has been training at Arsenal and told BBC World in Brazil on Tuesday that he “is as fit as I can be. I’m fit and sharp and I’m ready to be selected”.

Beckham interested in 2018 role

David Beckham would be honoured to help England’s 2018 World Cup bid, should he be asked by the Football Association. The 32-year-old is yet to be confirmed as a bid ambassador but would like to play a role similar to the one which helped London win the 2012 Olympics.

Speaking as he showed Prime Minister Gordon Brown his football academy in London he said: “To bring the World Cup to England would be something special.

“And I would be honoured to be involved in that.”

Beckham currently plays for LA Galaxy in America but has 99 England caps and captained his country between 2000 and 2006.

He added: “I was proud to be involved in 2012 and being involved in 2018 is something I would be interested in.”

Capello set for England hot-seat

Fabio Capello is poised to be confirmed as the new England manager after the Football Association board approved his appointment on Thursday. BBC Sport understands the FA is happy with the Italian’s £4m-a-year salary but the finer points of Capello’s contract are still being worked on.

Capello is thought to want Franco Baldini as his sporting director.

However, Baldini has told the BBC that Capello will become England boss whether he gets an FA position or not.

“It will not be a problem, Capello will be England coach for sure,” said Baldini.

“I understand the FA has, in principle, said ‘yes’ to me doing this job. If I do not, I think Capello will still be England coach, but maybe he will be a little less comfortable.”

Capello and England set for talks

Italian Fabio Capello is set to begin talks about becoming the new England coach, BBC Sport understands. A deal could be sealed within days if discussions with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick go well.

Capello, 61, could arrive in England on Wednesday, and it is reported that his son, Pierfilippo Capello, who acts as his agent, has flown into England.

Ex-Real Madrid, Juventus, Roma and AC Milan boss Capello has received glowing references from top names in football.

According to BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard, negotiations between Capello, Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of development, could happen on Wednesday evening.

“I am also told that much of the contractual work has already been handled on his behalf by the Italian super-agent Giovanni Branchini, a man who is renowned for his tough talking, high-profile deal-making,” added Legard.

“I am also told Branchini has gone to Tokyo already for the World Club Championship, which suggests that much of the work has been done already.

Mourinho out of England running

Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the running to become England coach. The former Chelsea boss revealed he had held talks with the Football Association following Steve McClaren’s dismissal last month.

But in a statement on his agent’s website, Mourinho said: “After serious thought, I decided to exclude myself despite it being a fantastic position.

“I’m sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs.”

Mourinho said he had had “useful discussions” with the FA’s chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Trevor Brooking.

He said: “We exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of a real approach.”

FA ‘makes approach’ for Mourinho

The Football Association has contacted Jose Mourinho’s agent about the former Chelsea boss taking over as England coach, BBC Sport understands. Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes has been approached by the FA about the job, although reports that the Portuguese was already in London were incorrect.

It is thought the FA has drawn up a shortlist of five or six contenders.

Mourinho, 44, is on the list and he is considering whether he is prepared to meet FA bosses to talk about the job.

Some newspaper reports claimed Mourinho was either in London already or about to fly into England from Portugal for talks with the FA.

Mourinho ‘would consider’ England

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would consider becoming England manager if the Football Association approached him, says his personal advisor. Eladio Parames says Mourinho has had no contact with the FA and would not go looking for it, but would take an offer of a job seriously if it came along.

“It would be an honour,” said Parames. “He likes English football, the people, the country and the players.

“It’s something he’d consider but he’s not trying to get the FA’s attention.”

Parames told the Associated Press: “He’s not waving his hands in the air, but if he’s approached, he’ll reply.”

Beckham ‘would accept’ 2018 role

David Beckham would be willing to work as the official face of the Football Association’s 2018 World Cup bid if he is approached. The former England captain, 32, worked as an ambassador to promote London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Beckham is yet to discuss any role with the FA but BBC Sport understands the governing body wants him on board and he would be happy to support it.

The LA Galaxy star has won 99 caps and captained England from 2000 to 2006.

He is hoping to claim his 100th cap in February’s friendly against Switzerland.

As English football’s most famous face, Beckham’s presence on the bid team would be a boost to the FA’s hopes.

Benayoun urged to rescue England

Liverpool duo Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard have told team-mate Yossi Benayoun to restore England’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008. England need Benayoun to help Israel to beat or draw with Russia on 17 November to stand a realistic chance of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

“Me and Stevie have been getting into him,” Crouch told his club’s website.

“We’re trying to keep him fresh for the Israel game. Hopefully he will do us a job against Russia.”