Capello Offered the England Job (Or Not)
By: Martha | November 26th, 2007
As all the other options run screaming in the other direction, the British press are increasingly behind the idea of Fabio Capello as England manager, so much so that they seem willing to overlook his most obvious drawback: He can’t really speak English. Of course, the rumor that Gianfranco Zola would be his primary assistant should Capello get the job probably makes at least many in London so happy they don’t care what language the gaffer speaks, as long as Zola comes back. (One of the best things about Claudio Ranieri’s early months at Chelsea was the press conferences, and how absurdly charming Zola was in his role as translator — imagine how great he would be yelling at Steven Gerrard.)
It’s even been reported in both the Italian and the English media that the FA have already offered Capello the gig, to the tune of €5.5 million/season, allegedly for four years, which would keep him with the team (barring a loss to the wrong team, of course) through World Cup 2010 and into Euro 2012 qualifying. Capello, of course, denies any such thing has happened — in fact, he says he’s not yet even been interviewed. According to Don Capello, he knows — from the papers — that he’s one of the FA’s top choices, but that’s … pretty much it. Jeez, if that’s true, maybe someone from the FA should get on the phone, huh?
Interestingly, Capello’s first choice for the gig is Jose Mourinho, a man he assumed was going to take the job. The Portuguese’s apparent lack of interest (Or, as you might expect, not.) is, according to Capello, down to his youth — “I,” he says “am of a different age.” By which he means “twice as old.”
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je allou te cest ca parte julei arth ettiou et husei
Posted from
United States
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If Capello takes over England, they might actually be a decent (read Pot A) team.
Something I would hate.
I love seeing them crash and burn, because their jealousy of Italian football is horrendous.
And I would personally consider it treason if Capello went there.
Martha, let them have another Steve or Sven.
Our coaches must not help them.
Although, if Capello goes there and doesn’t qualify for the WC 2010, that will be like killing two birds with one stone (curious expression that, ever wondered where it came from? Who kills birds in the first place, and secondly, why with stones?) Anyway, I hate Capello but you can’t deny that he is a good coach and so he must not go help England.
Period.
And don’t even get me started on Lippi.
Posted from
United States -
I think Gabrielle Marcotti pointed to this when he said that there is no way that Capello would have made a public display of being after the job if he knew it wasn’t his already.
Posted from
United States -
Interesting, Chris — that both makes me happy and a bit alarmed, because I agree with a lot of what Romanista is saying about the horror of Capello making England something of a force.
And Romanista, are you saying you don’t like Lippi the Pimp?! How can that be?
Posted from
United States -
i think he means he doesn’t even want to hear about lippi being offered the job. for parallel reasons.
Posted from
Canada -
Ah, thank you Rose — that I can handle. (And Lippi wouldn’t even think about it. I’m actually wondering if he’ll ever manage again — he’s done enough to walk away right now, and increasingly looks like he might.)
Posted from
United States -
No Martha
I’m saying I love Lippi and if he takes the England job, I might have to jump off the Nelson Mandela Bridge.
Posted from
United States -
Romanista - harsh words. Capello would absolutely not be a popular choice in England, because far from the English being “jealous” of Italian football, its actually really rather despised here and Capello, to the English, represents everything as to the reason why its not liked. Dull, dour, defensive football. He’s making too many noises about wanting the job to the extent of being interviewed on English tv talking about it. Its the worst job in football anyway.
Posted from
United States
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