Fabio Capello, one of the greatest coaches the game has ever seen, could be facing earlier than expected retirement if he is kicked out of Real Madrid.
Despite delivering Real’s first title in four years in his first season back at the Bernabeu, the 61-year-old Italian has yet to receive the backing of Real president Ramon Calderon.
Italians are stunned that a man with such a superb pedigree could be facing the sack after winning the league when Real had seemed out of the race. The fact there is no big club looking for a manager at the moment makes the situation look even more bizarre.
His CV is outstanding: a Champions League and four Italian titles with AC Milan, two La Liga titles with Real (1996/97 and this season), a scudetto with AS Roma and two with Juventus (albeit scrapped from the record books after a match-fixing scandal he knew nothing about).
Capello told Gazzetta dello Sport he might have to retire if he is shown the door at Real. “The best teams already have coaches, which means I could even quit with two years’ pay,” he said.
He did express an interest in coaching a national side, but again there seem to be no top vacancies now that Italy boss Roberto Donadoni has overcome some early difficulties.
Capello has said in the past that the England job would tempt him, and Steve McClaren will now be especially glad his stumbling side beat Estonia recently to put their Euro 2008 hopes back on track.
Mark Meadows, Milan
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4 comments so far
a manager like capello shouldn’t be worry about his future. with his reputation and great achievement, it’s only a matter of time for him to find a new club.
- Posted by http://footballwijaa.blogspot.comYou’re right, footballwijaa. He’s not going to give up now. He can just wait half a season or so until the next big club axes the manager.
- Posted by LondonReports say Capello is off to Tibet on holiday. Or has he decided to turn his back on European soccer and help the Tibetan national team gain official status? http://www.tnsa.info/
- Posted by RosemaryTo Don Ramon Calderon Ramos and to whom it many concern:
1- The Real Madrid Supporters who are regular contributors to the website Fans del Real Madrid (www.fansdelmadrid.blogspot.com) and many other web sites wish to thank Fabio Capello the impressive results achieved with Real Madrid. He has turned around a decline which has lasted years and has excelled in his workrate, untiring faith in the team and search for victory. We wish to express the gratitude and respect of many fans to Fabio Capello.
2- We are disgusted at the campaign formed against Mr Capello since his arrival in Spain. It has been unjust and mainly based on personal reasons. Even when footballing reasons have been argumented other teams practising the same footballing concepts (like Valencia) have been painted with a totally diferent brush in the media.
3- We reject the idea that football should have an ideology. Football is a diverse sport and can be played in many different ways. We dont accept the dubious criteria used to describe different styles of playing the game.
4- Furthermore we also reject the idea that Real Madrid has been playing poorly or the current style is alien to the essence and values of the club, the current display of discipline and team work are examples of areas where we have excelled. In the league not only have we beaten all of our closest rivals but have achieved the all time record of points away from home.
5- We wish to ask Don Ramon Calderon, president of Real Madrid, to end this period of uncertainty and the distain the architect of our footballing resurrection has been submitted to. We wish to remind Sr. Calderon that in his election manifesto he promised to abide by the strategy of the technical director. The club needs a long term and well structured strategy. This isnt achieved by the constant change of coaches or changes because of a whim.
6- We reject the excessive influence given to a certain sector of fans which are not necessarily either a majority or correct in their views. We respect the senior members and ex players but we stress that the club is not owned only by them. The current success of the team is not a miracle or due to some sort of spiritual healing session with deceased players. The Internet has shown us a concept of a Real Madrid fan which many wish to forget. The Real Madrid Fan base is international, enthusiastic and young.
7- We also reject the excessive influence of the media on the day to day running of the club. We strive for an independent club which is able to guide itself, staying away from meaningless controversy and external self interest. We ask the club to actively defend itself from the constant attacks and negative media campaigns the club is subjected to.
We ask Don Ramon Calderon to reflect on the above points and avoid making a historical error. We also ask all Real Madrid Fans and those identified with the team to sign this petition. Our objective is to give strength to this message which is of vital importance to the future of our club.
You can sign this petition at
http://www.gopetition.com/online/12876.h tml
Hala Madrid!
- Posted by Otro anónimo