Keeping Optimistic: 5 Reasons Why England Can Still Win Euro 2012

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When the news hit this morning that Fabio Capello had stepped down from the England manager's position, the majority of people wrote off England's chances at Euro 2012.

No matter how much is said or written about this, what's done is done, and all England can do now is push forward and play the best football they can with what they've got. 

For once let's embrace the change and push on to Euro 2012 with hope and excitement.

Here's a look at the positives that have come from Capello stepping down, and why England could find a blessing in this burden. 

There Will Be No Rift Between Manager and Captain

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After Capello openly expressed his views that John Terry was his only captain figure, any other player selected to take over captaincy would have had a separation with Capello.

How is a player, several months out from a major competition, supposed to embrace captaincy when they know their manager doesn’t truly see them as captain?

The selected player (probably Gerrard or Parker) would have a mission trying to gain the respect of the team when he didn’t truly have the backing of his manager.

When Capello openly stated that John Terry was his real captain, he created a rift that he had no hope or intention of bridging.

It's for the best that England now has a short amount of time to find a new manager and create a solid team-base instead of the disjointed and interrupted shambles that would have eventuated had Capello stayed.

They Will Play Without Fear

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The main issue with England in South Africa was the fear with which they played.

One of the glaring mistakes of Capello’s reign was his refusal to take off Wayne Rooney even when he was in horrible form.

It is this mentality—that he is too big to be taken off—that has cost England time and time again. We have seen it with players like Rio Ferdinand too.

No player is above the team, and every player should be looked at objectively by their performance in the game.

Hopefully whoever takes over (Harry Redknapp or even Jose Mourinho if we’re lucky) plays without this mindset and plays the best player, in the best position, that will benefit the team for the best.

It is time an England manager started playing for the team and not the individual.

The Managers Being Touted to Replace Capello Are Better

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If the FA play their cards right they might actually walk out of this incident with a better manager than Capello.

The two big names being linked with the vacant England spot are Jose Mourinho and Harry Redknapp.

While it would be a shame to see Redknapp leave as Tottenham has evolved so far under him, the county calls.

Redknapp’s knowledge of the England game is second-to-none. He has been around long enough to know exactly what is going on and been involved with enough clubs and people to have an intricate network in the Premier League.

Mourinho on the other hand simply needs no introduction—he is a young, successful, proven and most importantly fearless manager who commands respect among players and coaches alike.

Providing the FA doesn't have blind moment (which they have shown they are partial to) and appoints another Steve McClaren-type figure, don’t be surprised to see England play some brilliant attacking football this summer.

There Is No Precedent

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If there is one thing all football fans love, it’s an underdog.

Now that England’s new manager will have no time to establish a history with the team, they will play with nothing to look back on.

If Capello had stayed and times got tough in Euro 2012, the players would look back on the failings of South Africa and potentially suffer because of it.

When there is no history with a manager, the only way to look is forward.

I am not saying losing both a captain and manager months out of Euro 2012 is a good thing, however there is nothing anyone can do to take that back now.

England simply needs to embrace what’s given to them, pull together and play football that will make their nation proud.

The Team Really Now Has Nothing to Lose

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In tournaments gone by, the pressure of the buildup has always played a part in adding more stress onto the England team.

In South Africa, the squad’s every movement was monitored and recorded to the point that the country pretty much knew the starting XI and how the team was going to play.

This time, it’s different.

England are now approaching 2012 without an established captain or manager—no one can put any real expectation on their shoulders now.

If they are eliminated in the group stage, all can look back to the turmoil that surrounded their buildup to the tournament and find comfort in that.

This is exactly what the England team need—no pressure.

The expectancy that comes from a solid buildup to the tournament is gone, and now England can play free-flowing and attacking football.

This is indeed a long-shot, however, the England team have been crying for something new for a very long time and maybe this drama is a blessing in disguise.

No matter what, the boys will have our full backing in the coming months, and let's not rule out any miracles just yet.