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Fabio Capello’s smile of steel
Fabio Capello’s opening press conference with more than 200 media representatives was a relatively downbeat affair. Speaking through an interpreter, his answers were direct. There was little wild speculation about anything. He was considered, polite and to the point.
Watching the man in London on Monday, what struck me was this: With Capello’s appointment as the new England manager, coach, visionary, restorer of national pride or whatever else you may call him, English football has reached a point of no return.
By setting out to get one of the best managers in the world, and actually getting him, no-one can fault the English FA for failing in their promise to deliver a proven winner.
And what this has done, at a stroke, is actually return the responsibility of winning back to the players. Under Capello there can be no return to blaming the coach if things start going wrong. Capello has coached the best players in the world over the last two decades — and won things with almost all of them.
Of course, no-one expects England to win every game they play, but they will at least be expected to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010 and to start playing with the authority, confidence and style that has been lacking from the team for years.
Whereas England’s first overseas coach Sven Goran-Eriksson spoke excellent English and his immediate predecessor Steve McClaren could flash an international level toothy grin, Capello’s facial expression at today’s news conference reflected that of a winner.
Even when he smiled he looked like he was made out of steel.
It’s going to be interesting.
Mike Collett, Reuters Football Correspondent
PHOTO: Fabio Capello listens to a question during a news conference at a hotel in London December 17, 2007. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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Yeah, you have to compare how you feel about this appointment to that of Steve McClaren back in August 2006. There can’t be many who were more excited when McClaren took charge.
Capello is tactically astute and who cares if he prefers defensive football? His predecessors have been sacked for failing to pick up results and trophies. If he can bring us these by playing less attractive football (not that you can call McClaren’s style ‘attractive’) then we cannot complain.
I am relishing the prospect of us playing under him. His English is the only worry at the moment, but it shouldn’t take him long to learn it. He already knows 3 different languages, so they say it could take even less than a month for him to pick it up.
Did England look any different under McClaren than they did under Erikkson, Keegan or even Hoddle? You have to go back to Euro 96 to remember a performance that did not include poor passing, nerves, long balls, desperate defending.
Maybe as a group they take on all the bad characteristics of English football and forget the good stuff.
Capello may have a bigger job on his hands than he thinks.
As far back as euro 96??
Forgetting germany 1 england 5 then?
Capello has an incredible club career from clubs in Italy an of course Real Madrid, 2 seasons, 2 League championships.
The language is a concern, no one will pick up a language with enough understanding to really get over what he wants with the players. However time is on his side because of our tactically inept performances in failing to qualify for Euro 08, we have several friendlies where I’m sure if he doesnt have enough of a grasp, come September when the really important fixtures kick in, thats when really he has to have a top grasp. 9 months should be okay
Another question you should pose to yourselves, is how many players are left that really scream out that they can make a significant difference that haven’t already been capped?
I believe a player like Darren Bent, or possibly Andy Johnson, has got to really take advantage of any opportunties that may come there way, an same applys to people like Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton etc.
Youngsters like Johnson & Onouha of Man City (this coming from United fan lol), Walcott of Arsenal, etc, this also a prime 9 months worth of time to really test them in my eyes as well.
Have to see tho won’t we.
Nick Hallé
if you expect entertaining football from capello, just forget it. but i know he’s a truly winner and dislikes losing at all.
the language could be a problem but did Hiddink speak korean or russian? did ranieri speak english the first time he came to london?
Actually England did look pretty good under Hoddle who had some outstanding players in the squad and also in 1996 under Venables. I think there are two big problemsnow; 1. The top four have so many Champions League games to play and they take priority over Internationals in the main and 2. Far too many non English players and managers in top teams so that English players must feel inferior. I think the likes of Redknapp, Hughes and O’Neill would do just as well if they managed United, Liverpool or Chelsea.