Capello future still in doubt despite another title win

MADRID, June 18 (Reuters) Fabio Capello maintained his peerless record as one of the game's most successful coaches when he steered Real Madrid to the league title yesterday but his future at the club remains in doubt.

''I've said many times before that I want to carry on as coach of Real Madrid, but it all depends on (club president Ramon) Calderon,'' the Italian told a news conference after his side's 3-1 comeback victory over Real Mallorca.

''I told him that when we met last week, but he didn't give me an answer.'' Calderon remained tight-lipped when asked about Capello's future, even though the Italian has two years left on his contract.

''We have to enjoy this for a few more days and we will start talking within a week,'' he told Canal Plus television. ''We will make the best decision for the club, but we haven't decided what to do yet.'' Capello, who celebrates his 61st birthday today, steered Real to the title in his first spell at the club a decade ago but returned to his former side AC Milan after just one season.

He has won league championships with every team he has managed, although the two he lifted with Juventus in 2005 and 2006 were later stripped from the club because of their involvement in a Serie A match-fixing scandal.

''The important thing was that we won this title on the pitch, just as I did in Italy,'' said Capello. ''I hope they don't take this one away from me.'' Capello, criticised for Real's conservative tactics earlier in the season as they trailed Barcelona, acknowledged he had made a number of mistakes on his return to the Bernabeu.

But he said his biggest error had been his decision to sideline David Beckham after the midfielder announced he would be joining MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

''I made several misjudgements, but my biggest mistake was not to count on Beckham after he announced he was leaving,'' he said.

''Not keeping him in the side was my biggest error.'' REUTERS DH RK1026