Capello Gone- Renewed Hope For England

Fabio Capello's reign as England manager is over after the FA accepted the former Real Madrid managers resignation yesterday.

On his way

The news may have come as a surprise to many. Although I doubt that many tears will be shed over the news. In fact many responses from the fans and even some pundits have been positive. It would appear that the John Terry issue was the final straw and Capello (right) has fallen on his sword for his former captain.  For many Capello should have been removed after the dismal World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Despite that poor World Cup, Capello's record is impressive with a 66.7 win percentage. That is the highest of any England manager ever. He also guided England to this summers Euros. From an outsiders point of view it seems to make no sense as to why he is so unpopular. The England job have been called a poisoned challis due to the press scrutiny, huge public pressure and expectation it is easy to see why. Capello came into the job with a hugely impressive club management record with European big guns AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. He has had experience in top leagues in European as well as the Champions League. However he had never managed in England. Therefore the type of press England has he may have been used to. Also something which was highlighted by many fans was his failure to learn English in nearly 4 years in the job. For talking to the press as well as his players this is a key requirement.  However having said that many ex-pros did not believe it was a problem and his win percentage would also indicate otherwise.  

Terry was Capello's major problem 

Capello brought about his own problems during his time as manager. Mistakes were made by Capello and I am sure he realises it. John Terry (left) caused him numerous problems due to his personal life. Firstly with Wayne Bridge refusing to play for England due to Terry's affair with his wife. Also allegations of wrong-doing including the touting of his box at Wembley. This lead to the decision and the right one by Capello to remove the captaincy from him. For me then he should not have been in the squad. His decision split the public however many did agree. However his biggest mistake and where all his trouble really started from was the decision to hand the captaincy back to Terry. This was a dreadful mistake (as I commented on an earlier article back in March last year). This decision was poor and the handling of it was even worse. The way Rio Ferdinand was removed as captain was appalling and really hurt him as it showed when he was asked by the BBC's Dan Walker on Football Focus about taking the captaincy back and he said 'no' and you could see the hurt on his face. Capello blind-faith in John Terry as cost him his job. He was again let down by Terry with the raciest allegations by Anton Ferdinand. I know that these have not been proven but it looks very bad for him. The FA decision to remove him as captain was the right one, however Capello should have been consulted.

Capello other mistake was the World Cup, right from the beginning they were in trouble. On the 1st July 2010 when the squad was announced it was over. As I wrote at the time the wrong players were chosen. When he was appointed he had these ideas and principles of which he did not deliver. When it came to it he picked the same deadwood players who had failed time and time again.

Other errors included his Capello index and the way in which he handled the squad was poor. All the trouble with Rooney and then Terry speaking out at press-conferences. The whole tournament was a disaster and they were shown to be a very poor side.

In some ways I feel for him as to put such faith in a player and to constantly be let down is tough. This will again apply when Terry is most likely found guilty in July. However onwards and upwards as far as England are concerned.

England Future?

The most likely man to replace Capello is that of Harry Redknapp (right). After being acquitted this morning of all charges his odds have tumbled and he is 4-7 (SkyBet) to be the new manager. Something will have to be worked out with Tottenham but I am sure that that will be done. He will probably stay at Spurs until the end of the season then take over the England job. The public and media support for him is huge. As a result I doubt any other Englishman will want it. Other names include Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink. However it is more likely that one of them will take the Tottenham job in the summer when Redknapp leaves.

I hope it goes to Redknapp as for the first time in a long time I will feel excited about England. With Capello I think all the country were not looking forward to the Euros as we would be poor again. The public have just been waiting for him to go. It also seems that either Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart or Scott Parker will be captain. Personally I would like it to be Parker. He should have been in the World Cup two years ago and if he was playing for Tottenham and not West Ham I am sure he would have been.

It is incredible that one week ago England had a captain and a manager, now they have neither and yet there is an optimism among the fans about the upcoming Euros and the future for England. That is the crazy world of football.