Capello resigns as England manager (From Daily Echo)

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Fabio Cappello quits as national team boss

7:28pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello has resigned as boss of the England football team.

The Football Association has tonight confirmed that the Italian has left his role with immediate effect after a meeting at Wembley with FA Chairman David Bernstein and General Secretary Alex Horne.

It comes after he criticised the FA for stripping John Terry of the England captaincy over allegations he racially abused QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

Capello was quoted in the Italian media tonight as saying the FA had "gravely offended me and damaged my authority", causing problems for his integrity with the squad.

The move leaves the national side without a head coach, just four months ahead of the Euro 2012 competition in Poland and Ukraine.

Capello, who was appointed four years ago after a successful club career that has seen him win league titles in Italy and Spain, was unhappy his bosses had acted to remove Terry, who will face trial over the allegations after this summer's European Championships, as captain against his wishes.

He led England through a highly successful qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, but the side crashed out of the tournament in South Africa, with a 4-1 thrashing by Germany capping a miserable performance.

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In an interview with Italian TV this week he said he believed in the principle of innocent until proven guilty, and "absolutely" disagreed with the decision.

Former Saints boss Harry Redknapp is the red-hot front-runner for the role, although there is speculation current England Under 21 coach Stuart Pearce could be installed on a caretaker basis.

England's next international is later this month, a friendly against Holland on February 29 at Wembley.

The FA's full statement said: "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.

"David Bernstein 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.”

"A media conference with David Bernstein and the Club England Management team will take place at Wembley on Thursday at 12 noon.

"The FA will not be making any further comment until the media conference."

Comments(17)

Sir Ad E Noid says...
7:35pm Wed 8 Feb 12

Well I didn't see that one coming. The stuffed shirts at the FA obviously don't like criticism, whoever it comes from.