From 7th January 2008, Fabio Capello takes over as manager of the England national football team, a job that has seen many a manager torn apart by the press. So what’s different about this guy?
Well nothing really apart from one thing. This guy has played with and, more importantly, managed some of the highest profile players in the world. Two innings as the AC Milan manager and two as the Real Madrid manager has seen the likes of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, David Beckham, Francesco Totti and Fabio Cannavaro, being handled by this experienced man.
5 Italian Titles, 2 Spanish Titles and 1 Champions League are just a few of the honours won in his management career which began in 1991. No prior national side management experience but 32 appearances as a player for the Italian national side which included scoring the winning goal 3 minutes from time in a 1-0 win against England in 1973 as Italy triumph at Wembley for the 1st ever time.
Hopefully this time the FA have got the right guy. Possibly a second choice (behind José Mourinho) but in time it could be the right choice! Capello has been quoted saying “It would be the ultimate to win the World Cup and then retire”. I think most England fans (and the press) would be ok with that!!!