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Capello resigns as England manager

Comment: 0 February 9th, 2012 by: admin

FABIO Capello resigned from his post as coach of the English football squad Wednesday, as confirmed by representatives of the Football Association.

The Italian manager’s resignation followed a meeting with FA officers, namely chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne.

It also came after the FA’s decision to strip Chelsea’s John Terry, who is currently on trial for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, of his captaincy – a decision Capello publicly challenged in front of the Italian media.

A statement from the FA confirmed the Italian’s resignation, stating that his decision was effective immediately.

“The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England manager,” said the FA.

“The decision focused on the FA Board’s decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello’s response through an Italian broadcast overview.

“In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect.”

In a diplomatic statement, Bernstein added that both parties agreed it was “the right decision.”

“We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future,” said the chairman.

Capello’s resignation after four years as England manager came as a surprise to those expecting him to at least finish the last few months of his contract, which was set to expire after Euro 2012.

Capello’s criticism towards the FA’s decision to take the armband away from Terry centred around his argument that the Chelsea captain cannot be punished until the trial, which was adjourned until July, has found Terry guilty.

“I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain’s armband,” Capello earlier said.

“I have spoken to the [FA] chairman and I have said that in my opinion one cannot be punished until it is official and the court – a non-sport court, a civil court – had made a decision to decide if John Terry has done what he is accused of.”

The FA are said to be looking to Tottenham Hotspurs manager Harry Redknapp as a replacement after he was found not guilty of tax evasion.

Gareth Southgate, FA head of elite development, named Redknapp as a candidate, while acknowledging the circumstances what with him still the Spurs manager.

“Harry Redknapp is one of the leading candidates but Tottenham will have something to say about that and Daniel Levy is not going to want Harry to leave without a fight,” Southgate told the BBC.  “So there’s an awful lot of work out in the next few weeks.”

No regrets seemed to be coming from other England supporters, least of all former national team captain Alan Shearer.

“England should be managed by an Englishman and I would go along with Harry Redknapp as the outstanding candidate,” the former Newcastle United player said.  “He’s a genius at motivating players.

“Let’s move on and get someone who wants to manage England in a major tournament.  Managers come and go and you have to be professional as a player.

“They’ll want to put on the white shirt and go out there and play regardless of who’s in charge.”

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