Arsene Wenger has defended Fabio Capello’s stand over John Terry, insisting the Italian should have had the final say over whether the Chelsea defender remained as England captain or not.

Capello resigned on Thursday after the Football Association board went over his head to strip Terry of the captaincy, with the player facing trial on a racist abuse charge in July, after Euro 2012.

Terry denies a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Capello made clear in an interview with Italian television on Sunday that he completely disagreed with the FA’s decision.

Arsenal manager Wenger told Arsenal Player on Friday: “When the decision came out from the FA, I said that the choice of captain is down to the manager. You (the manager) pick your team, you choose your captain.

“I did not expect such an extreme situation but it looks like there was already some turbulence there and that was just the final straw.

“I am sad that Capello leaves four months before such an important competition, it is a big blow for England and I am sad for him.”

Wenger is considered an outside bet with bookmakers to replace Capello, with Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp the overwhelming favourite.

The Frenchman believes the FA should look for an English candidate, adding: “I have always been straight in (suggesting an Englishman should be next) – not because I think an English manager can do a better job than any foreign guy, just because you represent your country and it is better if the manager is from there. Especially in a big football country like England.

“It’s now down to the FA to make the right decision and you will not be surprised when I tell you I do not want to interfere with that!”