Capello's fate sealed in Feb: Real chairman

MADRID: Real Madrid chairman Ramon Calderon says he made up his mind to dump title-winning Italian Fabio Capello as coach as early as February because fans perceived his team's style as negative, AS reported on Monday.   

"Madrid must seek excellence and stylish play," said Calderon, who will have to stump up some six million euros (eight million dollars) in compensation after pushing Capello through the door and lining up Getafe's Bernd Schuster in his place. Calderon said the traditional on-field effervescence that fans demand at the Bernabeu had been little in evidence under Capello, despite a last-gasp championship win which gave the club its first silverware since 2003.   

Real ended the season on a roll after Capello saw the light and recalled David Beckham, earlier banished after announcing in January he was going to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer. But earlier their form had been poor and Calderon insisted that "in February I began to realise Capello's plan was not what the fans wanted.   

"We have to look forward. We want a return to the spectacular and to entertaining the fans," said Calderon, who added that "while it will cost a lot of money to get rid of him it is within the club's means."  Capello's departure after two title wins in Madrid in two spells a decade apart means a 12th change of coach in a decade.   

The 47-year-old Schuster was two times a Liga champion with Real as a player in the early 1980s, while he also won the title once with rivals Barcelona.