Rome: Fabio Capello walked out on the England manager's job due to a "misunderstanding", the 65-year-old Italian has said.

Speaking to a light-hearted Italian TV show, due to be aired on Friday night, the former AC Milan, Read Madrid and Juventus coach also explained that he has no intention of returning to work in Italy.

"I didn't flee, I left because there was a misunderstanding," he told Striscia la Notizia.

"I felt great but sometimes you decide to leave."

Capello quit as England boss on Wednesday following a meeting with the Football Association, three days after he had given an interview to Italian public TV in which he criticised his employers' decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy due to allegations he used racist language.

When asked if he would consider a return to work in Italy -- he has been linked in the Italian press with a move to Inter Milan -- Capello was adamant.

"In Italy, no. Absolutely not. Now I want to relax," he added.

Capello stepped down after talks with FA officials having publicly criticised last week's decision by the organisation to axe Terry as captain.

Capello's position had come under scrutiny after he told an Italian broadcaster on Sunday that he disagreed "absolutely" with the dismissal of Terry, who faces a criminal trial for allegations of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October 2011.

The 65-year-old took over as England coach in December 2007 following the country's failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 final, signing a lucrative £6 million-a-year contract with a brief to halt years of English footballing under-achievement on the international stage.

But he came under pressure after a disastrous 2010 World Cup which culminated in a humiliating 4-1 thrashing by Germany on the back of mediocre form in the opening group phase.

Capello, who had controversially been given a contract extension just prior to the World Cup finals, managed to cling on to his position but in many respects was battling the perception of being a lame duck manager - though he took England through the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The Italian's momentous week meant he received Striscia La Notizia's 'Tapiro d'oro' award - handed out to a public figure who has endured a difficult week.