England manager Fabio Capello has resigned today. After a meeting called earlier today with FA chairman David Bernstein and Alex Horne general secretary, at Wembley, Capello quit. The FA released a statement reading "The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England manager." The statement also covered Capello's challenge of the FA's decision to trip John Terry of the captaincy."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."
Capello went to the meeting with Bernstein feeling that his authority had been undermined and could not continue in the role and after an hour of talks Fabio's resignation was accepted with immediate effect.
"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."
Capello had not met with the FA since the decision to remove the armband from Terry pending the outcome of his court case in July. John Terry, 31, denies the charge of allegedly racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand. Capello has strong views regarding the issue.
"I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain's armband," said the 65-year-old, whose first game in charge was on 6 February 2008, against Switzerland.
"I have spoken to the [FA] chairman and I have said that in my opinion one cannot be punished until it is official and the court - a non-sport court, a civil court - had made a decision to decide if John Terry has done what he is accused of."
Candidates for the role include West Brom manager Roy Hodgson, Stuart Pearce and Harry Redknapp. Roy Hodgson was tipped to replace Italian Capello after the 2010 World Cup but settled for an ill-fated role at Liverpool before moving on to the Hawthorns. Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce is backed by FA head of elite development Gareth Southgate who belives Pearce should take charge of England for their friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley on 29 February.
"But you have to think for the summer - can you get the person you want for the longer term? Because the leading candidates are with clubs at the minute.
"Harry Redknapp is one of leading candidates but Tottenham will have something to say about that and Daniel Levy is not going to want Harry to leave without a fight, so there's an awful lot to work out in the next few weeks."
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Redknapp who today was cleared of all charges brought against him by HM Revenue and Customs is backed by Former England captain Alan Shearer."England should be managed by an Englishman and I would go along with Harry Redknapp as the outstanding candidate. He's a genius at motivating players."
Image via Wikipedia.
