When Fabio Capello was appointed England manager in 2008, I was relieved the FA had appointed a manager with a proven track record at club level. He was seen as a disciplinarian, someone who could get the best out of the so-called "Golden Generation." Despite being paid an extraordinary £6million a year, writers and fans, including myself, were convinced that Capello was the man to deliver the World Cup.
The Italian's reign started so well, with England exacting revenge on Croatia with two heavy wins and a side that had scored the most amount of goals in European qualifying for the World Cup. The England side played with such skill, flair and athleticism usually seen week in, week out in the Premiership. Supporters, and pundits were at last seeing an England team playing to their potential.
And then the World Cup started.
The tournament was an absolute farce before a ball was even kicked. Fabio Capello dropped Theo Walcott from the squad and instead selected Shaun Wright-Phillips who hardly played for Manchester City last season. Capello insisted on playing Emile Heskey who scored 3 league goals last year. He also played a 4-4-2 formation which was too rigid and predictable. If you are going to use 4-4-2, then play wingers on the left and right midfield, not our best player Steven Gerrard. Adding to the on-field problems, off the pitch was a disaster. Constant whispers of unrest followed by John Terry's infamous press conference added to the uncertainty around the squad.
Reading this you may think I don't rate Fabio Capello. Wrong. I respect what he has achieved at club level with Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma. But I believe he needs to let the players relax and enjoy playing for their country and make England play to their full potential on the big stage. If he delivers the Euro 2012 Championship, he would have justified his salary.
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