Fabio Capello resigns as England manager
Fabio Capello leaving the FA headquarters at Wembley yesterday. Picture: Getty
FABIO Capello last night quit as England manager, following a meeting with FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley Stadium.
An FA statement read: “The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England manager.” This follows a meeting involving FA chairman David Bernstein, FA general secretary Alex Horne and Fabio Capello at Wembley Stadium.
“The discussions 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 interview.
“In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect.”
Bernstein said the resignation was the right course of action. The FA chairman said: “I would like to stress that during today’s meeting and throughout his time as England manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner.
“We have accepted Fabio’s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.”
Bernstein and the Club England management team will hold a media conference at Wembley at 12 noon today. The shock resignation brings an end to Capello’s four years in charge of England – he had been due to step down after the European Championship and leaves the FA needing to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
The next international is later this month, a friendly against Holland on 29 February at Wembley.
The timing of the meeting coincided almost exactly with Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, the outstanding candidate to replace Capello, being cleared of tax evasion charges.
Redknapp was immediately installed as a hot favourite to take over from Capello and lead England into this summer’s European Championships, but Scotland manager Craig Levein cast doubt on whether the 64-year-old would be able to do both jobs in the short term.
“I think it’s extremely difficult,” Levein said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I believe England have got a great opportunity in the summer going to the Euro finals.
“It might be very difficult for a manager to stay at his club and devote the time that’s needed to do the England manager’s job. I don’t know what the FA will decide is best way forward.”
Former FA chief executive David Davies claimed Redknapp would find the England job too tempting to turn down and Tottenham would be reluctant to stand in his way.
“Given the bizarre coincidence of the two events that came together today (Capello’s resignation and Redknapp’s acquittal) the odds have to be that Harry Redknapp will be the next manager of the England team,” Davies said on Sky News.
“I think there are one or two other strong candidates, but there is a momentum now behind Harry Redknapp that the FA will find hard to resist.
“My instinct is that someone like Harry Redknapp ultimately will not want to turn down the job of England manager and my instinct is that Tottenham Hotspur ultimately will not want to stand in his way.” The FA’s decision to go over Capello’s head and strip Terry of the captaincy until after his July court case where he will deny racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand led to the Italian quitting his £6m-a-year post.
Capello told Italian TV that he “absolutely” disagreed with the action against Terry and that set him on a collision course with the FA.
Stuart Pearce, manager of England Under-21s and the Great Britain Olympic team, is expected to be put in charge for the Holland friendly.
Pearce was at Tynecastle to tale in the Hearts v Celtic match last night as news of Capello’s resignation broke.
FA head of elite development Gareth Southgate confirmed that Redknapp is one of the “leading candidates”.
Southgate told BBC Sport: “Stuart Pearce is in the building and with the Under-21s.
“But you have to think for the summer – can you get the person you want for the longer term? The leading candidates are with clubs at the minute. Harry Redknapp is one of the leading candidates but Tottenham will have something to say about that and [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy is not going to want Harry to leave without a fight.
“There’s an awful lot to work out in the next few weeks.”
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who earlier revealed he was not interested in taking over the captaincy from Terry, tweeted: “So Capello resigns....what now....”
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Comments
There are 43 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
crecy1346
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:32 AMTo 28:-Don't make a point and ramble off about something else ie.rugby!! The BBC has for once accurately reflected it's mandate 80% of the UK population is English therefore English matters should take priority.We have to watch hours of drivel about the independence debate and we put up it.Finally yes stop paying your TV licence because your new "Scottish national socialist tv" will give you hours of Scotland only coverage and tell you all the things you want to hear.That is of course once the propaganda ministry of "his saltire wearing holiness" sets it up!!!!!!
Jambo 25
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:46 PMStill no answer yet, Media4one?
A dose of reality!
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:14 PMIf people are not bothered then why keep posting comments on the story on here. Redknapp will get it, seems conclusive it will be a British or English manager!
Jambo 25
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 05:41 PMStill waiting for your answer Media4one.
Jambo 25
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 05:00 PMWhat anti-English hatred?, Media4one.? If you can find some please quote it directly back at me. I'm simply pointing out the double standard by, what is supposed to be, our national broadcasting organisation. An organisation which is supposed to show impartiality and equal treatment to all, respectable political movements in the UK. Exactly what was your objection to that?
Tightfisted
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:19 PM..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ANYBODY BUT INGURLUND.
Tightfisted
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:17 PM#33 MEDIA ONE Well pal...............I hope you enjoyed that ridiculous grovelling composition and that you feel re-assured that the INGURs are in need of yet another snivelling soul from a far flung outpost of what's left of their sad, sick empire....but, be assured....you most assuredly DON'T speak for me....or for any Scotsman with any cohones. It is my earnest wish that the INGURs fall flat on their fat faces YET AGAIN and that, having reduced themselves to ignominy that aa surprise outbreal of even a little humility might break out amongst this pompous arrogant, feral race ....better at burning down shopping malls....their OWN shopping malls.......(and don't forget the Argos looting) .......as their natural summer sport.......and who knows, maybe Quislings like you might even fall heir to a surplus pair of trainers or something similar, after their next great "sporting event"................for such is the supine Scots amongst us destined to receive fas you continue to fawn in the direction of this unloved nation to our south !!!
Abe Fruman
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 04:00 PMdry yer eyes media . you are passed tedious ....................
media4one
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:38 PMAlex Ferguson should give it a go - I think he could win it with England
media4one
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:24 PMJambo 25: The BBC would obviously lead with this story because that is the story every broadcasting agency around the world is leading with lol ----- Put your anti-english hatred to the side for a day and try and grow up.
media4one
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:21 PMNo matter where you are in the world you would be excused for thinking that the most affected nation in the world concerning this story would be England. Not so! Since us Scots have one the most appalling sporting records in the world and one of the most embarrassing international football records of all time it is natural that we will cling onto any story concerning England and use it to heal our hurt at being so awful at almost every sport imaginable. England needed a new man and this must come as good news for those concerned - hopefully it will mean an injection of new energy so they can do us all proud in Europe - Since Scotland is never capable of getting there we can always count on our neighbours to keep us interested.
Abe Fruman
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:17 PMdoes anyone really care what levein thinks?
blast from the past
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:22 PM#28 We live in an insignificant country ,i'm afraid you'll just have to get used to it.
Deansy
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:20 PMFairly certain it'll come out Capello 'resigned' but he'll be paid the remainder of his contract. It's an 'out' that suits both parties. England - classy as ever !.
Alan Craigie
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:59 AMWhat a joke the English are. Can't even find an honest Englishman that can manage their football team. Not so fast Harry, I said honest.
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