Ancelotti stands by his man

John Terry's off the pitch indiscretions appear to have divided two nations after he was stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello.

Terry's behaviour has divided England fans throughout the country in the last seven days and the two Italians in charge of the player's career at club and international level, proved to be equally at odds.

"If the private life of one player doesn't involve or impinge upon his professional life, I don't have a problem," said Ancelotti.

The England manager relieved Terry of his duties following a week of furore over the defender's alleged affair with former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

Terry paid the price for his actions because Capello wants to keep Bridge involved in his England plans and that spelled the end for the Chelsea defender.

Capello delivered the news to Terry at a brief meeting inside Wembley Stadium on Friday afternoon after summoning the 29-year-old to a meeting to discuss the lurid headlines of the past week.

Capello hopes his actions are enough to persuade Bridge to remain within the England set-up but while one Italian stripped Terry of the captain's armband, fellow countryman Carlo Ancelotti was standing solidly behind him.

He added: "If John comes to the training ground but is not able to train because he's tired or nervous, I can be interested then.

"But he comes here and trains very well. He's always ready to train, always focused, always involved. He didn't kill anybody. Here, he will find a good place to stay.

"I think that he is able to leave his problems outside the training ground. For this, he has a very good behaviour. He's shown his character. He is a very strong character."