Fabio Capello has been grilled inside out by the press in Italy and Spain and will no doubt have been well-briefed about what to expect from their English counterparts once he took on the poisoned chalice of being England manager.
But even the widely travelled and experienced Italian seemed slightly taken aback, or at least amused, by the English media’s Beckham obsession on Wednesday.
Capello has said he will deal with the media through an interpreter until he feels confident enough with the new language to ensure his words mean what he wants them to mean.
So, sitting down at Wembley on Wednesday to discuss the 2-1 win over Switzerland in his first game in charge, he was perhaps preparing some Italian answers on Joe Cole’s lively contribution, Wayne Rooney’s tireless commitment, the growing confidence of David Bentley or even which comedian informed him that Wes Brown was the best right back in the country.
Yet all the Pack wanted to know was what he thought of a section of the crowd chanting “there’s only one David Beckham”.
Doing an aural Arsene Wenger, Capello said he had not heard it. He could then barely contain his laughter when the follow-up question asked if such a chant would have any bearing on his future selection.
“The things I do are for the team and have nothing to do with the personal feelings I have for the player,” he said.
Undaunted, England’s leading soccer writers bypassed goalscoring Jermaine Jenas and man of the match Steven Gerrard and turned to Michael Owen, who spent the evening as an unused substitute.
Did Capello not realise what an integral part of the England set-up Owen is? Was he not concerned that not selecting the out-of-form and barely fit Newcastle United striker could damage the poor lad’s confidence?
Funnily enough, Capello did not see it that way, and delivered a Sven-esque reply about how all players are equal in the eyes of Fabio.
Previous England managers have dealt with the English soccer writers in different ways. Steve McClaren sought to become friends with them, Eriksson pretty much ignored them, Kevin Keegan argued with them while Glenn Hoddle merely bamboozled them with his own special brand of the language.
Capello was so respected by the Italian media that they called him “Don Fabio” .
It remains to be seen if Fleet Street’s finest will be similarly won over if he continues not to play the tabloid headline game, but it should certainly be an interesting ride.
Mitch Phillips, London
PHOTO: England manager Fabio Capello reacts during their international friendly soccer match against Switzerland at Wembley stadium, Feb 6 REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
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3 comments so far
English hacks always need ‘a line’ ie. something slightly controversial to put in the next day’s papers as in the internet and 24 hour news age they know everyone will have seen the score and major talking points before the papers even hit the streets.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsThe press arent going to change his mind about Beckham and Owen, however a few barbed questions about Wes Brown might have made him realise he isnt onto a winner there.
I just find this really, really funny.
In the run up to this game the usual pundits in the Telegraph, Mail and Times started with their slightly condescending attitude towards Capello - to the effect that if he “wanted to learn something” he had better listen to them. Rather wonderfully, Capello, completely ignored the press - and of course this drives them mad. As the time for team selection came closer the articles became slightly hysterical.
Now, as he still ignores them, watch them report his attitude as “ignorant of the wishes of the fans”, “undermining confidence in the players” and so on. What they really mean is the press have lost their influence over the England manager.
Capello is absolutely right to do this. I just hope he’s tough enough for when it turns personal.
- Posted by Kieran O'ConnorI never wanted the italian, but lets give him a chance now he has got the job that I think should have gone too the old england under 21 manager peter taylor who knows all the good young english players that are about more so than the present joker.
- Posted by peter wellsThat aside I would like to see an england manager who does not put on peter crouch for joe cole then pulls of wayne rooney in the vain hope that a long ball may find the head of peter crouch because there aint much else left on the park under taylor joe cole won more man of the match awards than any other england player for the under 21s but dont stay on 90 minutes since he has been playing for the full england team unless you saw his neat little chip over the goalies head in the last world cup tell me the italian is a good international mananager he is a good club mannager yes , but there is a vast difference me I also rate venables as a great manager not a good number two and under that clown mclaren at least he talks tatics can handle the press, and is up for the job no gimmicks involved with venables done a miracle at middlesborough keeping them up when they were in free fall and robinson asked him to help him out
and have we not heared this before when he first took over england he said the game at this level is all about keeping possestion no long balls up the field work it through the midfield and drop back in defence let the midfield pass it to the fowards who should be up the front they should be the ones to score >
I read an almost identical item last week that the italian is supposed to have said to a reporter its the way italy play and it almost won us the european cup when venables was in charge of england , but Istill think peter taylor would doa good job with the present team plus some few changes it wont be long now before Robinsons back in goal for england James is a joke his been this way before and lost his place he will do the same again. England supporter who dont want this silly global idea sky tv are killing football for the working man the fa sold there soul to sky even the fixtures are unfair and the offside rule well lets be honest its gone now hasnt it.