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<SPAN class=news_story_title>Beckham Omitted From England Coach McClaren's 1st Squad; Venables Returns </SPAN>
Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham was omitted from England coach Steve McClaren's first squad, possibly signaling the end of his international soccer career. Former national team coach Terry Venables was appointed as McClaren's assistant.
``I told David I'm looking to the future and looking to take the team in a different direction and he's not part of that,'' McClaren told reporters in London today.
The 31-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has played 94 times for his country over 10 years. He stood down as captain after leading the team for the 58th time in England's World Cup elimination by Portugal. Sol Campbell and David James were also left out of the squad to play Greece on Aug. 16.
Beckham had said he wanted to become the fifth Englishman to receive 100 of the caps that players get each time they make an international appearance. Instead, he misses out as McClaren and Venables seek to end the country's 40-year wait for a second major trophy after it won the World Cup in 1966.
``David was disappointed but I got the reaction I wanted,'' said McClaren. ``He said he'll fight for his place. The door is never closed.''
Ashton Included
McClaren, who yesterday named Chelsea's John Terry as captain, selected West Ham striker Dean Ashton and recalled Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, whom McClaren's predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson declined to take to the World Cup in Germany, as well as Phil Neville of Everton and Charlton's Darren Bent.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, on loan at Watford, Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tottenham defender Michael Dawson and Charlton striker Darren Bent are also in.
Venables, who left England after leading it to the semifinals of the 1996 European Championship, rejoined the coaching set-up along with Steve Round, who was McClaren's assistant at Middlesbrough. Ray Clemence will stay as goalkeeping coach.
England coach for three years, Venables is known for a tactical acumen honed at clubs including Barcelona and Tottenham. His return was opposed by some members of the Football Association, U.K. newspapers reported.
``It helps to have the best people around you and Terry is one of them,'' said McClaren. ``I wanted someone tactically astute, who knows football inside out, has worked at the top level and who the players respect.''
Beckham Injury
Beckham has been training for more than a week after sustaining ankle and knee strains at the World Cup. He played in an exhibition match for Madrid in Seattle two days ago. McClaren said injury wasn't the reason for his omission.
Recently usurped by Brazil's Ronaldinho as soccer's highest- paid player, Beckham made his England debut in Moldova in 1996, a month after scoring from the halfway line for Manchester United.
He overcame national vilification for his ejection during a World Cup second-round loss against Argentina in 1998 and was named captain by stand-in coach Peter Taylor before Eriksson made the appointment permanent in 2001.
His tally of 17 international goals includes the last-minute winner from a curling free kick against Greece that took England to the 2002 World Cup. At that tournament, he scored the only goal of the game from a penalty kick against Argentina.
Eriksson continued to select his captain even when players such as former England striker Geoff Hurst said his performances failed to merit a berth.
Star Struck
Some suggested the Swede was struck by the star status that helped Beckham gain endorsements from companies including Adidas AG and Vodafone Group Plc that contributed to a personal fortune estimated at 75 million pounds ($142.2 million) by the Times.
Eriksson defended his captain, citing his ability at set- pieces. His first England goal was a free-kick against Colombia in the 1998 World Cup and this year he became the first Englishman to score in three tournaments whe
Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- David Beckham was omitted from England coach Steve McClaren's first squad, possibly signaling the end of his international soccer career. Former national team coach Terry Venables was appointed as McClaren's assistant.
``I told David I'm looking to the future and looking to take the team in a different direction and he's not part of that,'' McClaren told reporters in London today.
The 31-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has played 94 times for his country over 10 years. He stood down as captain after leading the team for the 58th time in England's World Cup elimination by Portugal. Sol Campbell and David James were also left out of the squad to play Greece on Aug. 16.
Beckham had said he wanted to become the fifth Englishman to receive 100 of the caps that players get each time they make an international appearance. Instead, he misses out as McClaren and Venables seek to end the country's 40-year wait for a second major trophy after it won the World Cup in 1966.
``David was disappointed but I got the reaction I wanted,'' said McClaren. ``He said he'll fight for his place. The door is never closed.''
Ashton Included
McClaren, who yesterday named Chelsea's John Terry as captain, selected West Ham striker Dean Ashton and recalled Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, whom McClaren's predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson declined to take to the World Cup in Germany, as well as Phil Neville of Everton and Charlton's Darren Bent.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, on loan at Watford, Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tottenham defender Michael Dawson and Charlton striker Darren Bent are also in.
Venables, who left England after leading it to the semifinals of the 1996 European Championship, rejoined the coaching set-up along with Steve Round, who was McClaren's assistant at Middlesbrough. Ray Clemence will stay as goalkeeping coach.
England coach for three years, Venables is known for a tactical acumen honed at clubs including Barcelona and Tottenham. His return was opposed by some members of the Football Association, U.K. newspapers reported.
``It helps to have the best people around you and Terry is one of them,'' said McClaren. ``I wanted someone tactically astute, who knows football inside out, has worked at the top level and who the players respect.''
Beckham Injury
Beckham has been training for more than a week after sustaining ankle and knee strains at the World Cup. He played in an exhibition match for Madrid in Seattle two days ago. McClaren said injury wasn't the reason for his omission.
Recently usurped by Brazil's Ronaldinho as soccer's highest- paid player, Beckham made his England debut in Moldova in 1996, a month after scoring from the halfway line for Manchester United.
He overcame national vilification for his ejection during a World Cup second-round loss against Argentina in 1998 and was named captain by stand-in coach Peter Taylor before Eriksson made the appointment permanent in 2001.
His tally of 17 international goals includes the last-minute winner from a curling free kick against Greece that took England to the 2002 World Cup. At that tournament, he scored the only goal of the game from a penalty kick against Argentina.
Eriksson continued to select his captain even when players such as former England striker Geoff Hurst said his performances failed to merit a berth.
Star Struck
Some suggested the Swede was struck by the star status that helped Beckham gain endorsements from companies including Adidas AG and Vodafone Group Plc that contributed to a personal fortune estimated at 75 million pounds ($142.2 million) by the Times.
Eriksson defended his captain, citing his ability at set- pieces. His first England goal was a free-kick against Colombia in the 1998 World Cup and this year he became the first Englishman to score in three tournaments whe