Signs of Madness, Or: Capello Wants the England Gig

According to the bookies, Jose Mourinho is the most likely man to take over the newly vacant England job (Nooooooooo!), but further down the list, at 14-1, is one Fabio Capello, a man who has actually said he’s interested in the job.

In case you needed more evidence, here’s the final proof that Capello is out of his damn mind — is there a more thankless international coaching gig than England’s? Italy’s, maybe, but I think it’s a push — both countries have completely insane expectations for their teams (at least Italy have a handful of trophies to justify the pressure), both have rabid press corps just waiting for failure, and anything but first is pretty much unacceptable, no matter how tall the odds or how mighty the opposition. And poor England go into every tournament saying they’re the best squad since 1966, even when they’re not (they never are), utterly doomed from the start. Like in Italy, if you don’t bring home the Cup, you’re not good enough.

So, basically, anyone who takes the gig is either mad or an egomaniac — both would be ideal (which explains why Mourinho is the favorite). In addition to ably filling both of those requirements, Capello also has buckets of experience and will surely be interviewed by the FA. If nothing else, a trip to England and photos of him in the paper will make him feel hugely important, and he’s sure to wow the Men in Suits with his impressive combination of bluster and knowledge; it wouldn’t surprise me a bit of he ends up on their shortlist and actually takes the gig, should it be offered him. If nothing else, it’s sure to make for a ton of fantastic quotes.

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Category: Rumors & News, Serie A