If you're in your sixties, life has probably begun to roll gently downhill. Retirement is around the corner, your hair is thinner than ever, and any kids you have spawned have long since flown the nest. These early autumn years should be a time to relax and get out of life what you put in for so many years with the blissful knowledge that the daily grind is almost over.
So as the search for the next England manager continues to rumble on, it seems strange that 61-year-old Fabio Capello looks set to enter into the manic world of the biggest job in football.
For a man who is no stranger to high profile jobs or success to consider a position that has damaged reputations and careers seems madness. Capello’s resume exhibits an impressive array of domestic silverware. In 16 years of club management he has won seven Scudettos, two La Liga titles, and a Champions League trophy—a success rate that is rivalled by very few.
Having proven himself at the highest level of European club football both as a player and a manager, is it wise to take on a job that has defeated all who have tried since 1966?
After being in charge of Juventus, Roma, and Real Madrid and AC Milan twice, it is fair to say high profile is very much a part of Capello’s footballing DNA, a trait that lends itself to the role of England manager. However it is the nature of the expectation that Capello may find overwhelming. Of course he will be used to expectation having managed in Madrid, Milan, and Turin because of the illustrious history of success that those teams have displayed, but with England it is the misguided expectation that could be harder to manage.
England have not reached a final of a major tournament since 1966 and in that time have failed to qualify for six tournaments, yet many, including players, supporters, and the English media in particular, maintain the national side are a footballing superpower with title aspirations. Capello’s first challenge will be reign in the over inflated opinion that England are a quality team. Within this challenge come a number of other hurdles that need facing.
International football management usually involves handling some great players, and with great players come great egos. Capello will be used to dealing with international superstars and the hype that follows them, having worked with Francesco Totti, Ronaldo, and David Beckham. It is this experience that could prove vital when it comes to creating a winning team.
The cause of England’s failure to succeed has been put down to many things, but most recently player enthusiasm has come under much scrutiny. Against Croatia in the final qualification game anything but a loss would have seen the side progress, but an apparent lack of motivation and team work was evident from the opening minutes. The same lack in motivation and fluidity seemed to dog the team in Germany in the 2006 World Cup.
1 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Steven Knaggs about 1 year ago
Defo agree, capello is the man to give them a good kick up the arse and get them playing. Was stunned that he took the job but as you say he's got nowt to prove either way. If alex ferguson wasn't a jock i reckon he'd have been tempted into it by now.
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