Monday 17 December 2007

Capello unveiled as England coach

Fabio Capello has promised to take the English national team "right to the top" after being unveiled by the Football Association today.

The Italian will officially start in his new post on 7 January.

Capello said: "I have wanted this job for a long time and I know there are great expectations that go with it. My first objective is to meet the players and the club coaches in the Premier League. England has a great team that can go right to the top."


The 61-year old, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract worth a reported £6.5m a year, said it was a "dream come true" to take the England job.

He needed a translator for his first press conference since accepting the job but said he is determined to improve his English before February's friendly against Switzerland.

"I am convinced that in one month when I meet up with the squad for the first time, I will be able to speak English," Capello explained. "I believe it is very important to communicate with players and I will undergo a strict routine to learn the language - I will apply myself every day."

The former AC Milan, Roma and Juventus coach says he will ask his squad why they think England have under-achieved in recent years, and failed to qualify for the finals of Euro 2008.

"I'm going to try to understand what happened by talking to the players," he added. "I believe that wearing the England shirt should be a matter of pride - I want to see all players playing for England like they do for their clubs."

Capello acknowledged that managing England will be very different to being in charge of a club side - but says he is confident he can work well with his players, and gain the co-operation of Premier League managers too.

"It is very different," Capello said. "My behaviour will have to change, as will the players. I have always had an excellent relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger and also the two Spanish managers Rafa Benitez and Juande Ramos.

"I've always had a fantastic relationship with such individuals, it will be no problem in working alongside them."

Capello is also keen to add an English coach to his backroom staff, saying: "From the first day I spoke with Sir Trevor Brooking, I have always asked for an English coach to be integrated into the set-up.

"It is something I have done wherever I have been - it is vital have someone from that environment who understands English football and the language."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick is certain Capello will prove to be a success, saying: "We have an outstanding man with an outstanding record.

"This is a significant appointment and we are delighted with the response from the public and the media. We know we owe the fans and we believe Fabio Capello is the man to restore our pride."

Source: BBC

No comments:

Post a Comment