Fabio Capello and the Impossible Task Ahead

Speaking as an Englishman, why as a country do we have a love-hate relationship with any English Manager?

Barring Steve McClaren, who was no one but the FA’s choice to lead England, have we decided to end up hating every man who has attempted to lead us towards a major championship?

We as a country love entertaining football; we are a country of Arsenal’s passing, United’s flair, Chelsea’s money, and Liverpool’s heart.

But yet we turn to riot when it all goes wrong.

Steve McClaren started to feel the wrath of the country on a cold, dark night in Andorra, and it never ceased. He was inevitably sacked following only the second time since 66’ that England have not qualified for a major competition.

Fabio Capello comes into an England Job where he not only has the pressure of the FA is against him, but also is weighed down by the country's expecations as a whole.

Phil Scolari famously wouldn’t take the job because of the spotlight. The media will put pressure on you and your family for questions, pictures, and even for just the faintest slice of gossip—and that is why it is the most feared and detested job in the world.

Now Fabio Capello, the man who led Real Madrid to the La Liga title last term, has been given 4.8 million dollars a year to turn a team of potential’s into world beaters. He has started, unlike McClaren and Ericsson, by completely revamping the backroom staff, as it now predominantly has more of an Italian feel to it.

When he takes office at the start of the new year, the burning question he must answer is whether England can play Lampard and Gerrard in the middle together.

However Capello must consider the career best performances of Gareth Barry and the imminent return to full fitness of Owen Hargreaves. Hargreaves excelled in Germany, and has garnered acclaim as one for the future who now plies his trade at Manchester United.

Another thing Capello must fear is the fans; England fans are notorious for not enjoying boring football, as can be commonly referred to in the Premiership as the "Bolton style of football" under Big Sam. Even when it comes to facing the Germany’s and the Brazil’s of the world, fans want a performance, not just a result—something his predecessor was unable to accomplish.

Inevitably, England fans must look at the bigger picture and consider whether they will take "boring" football that has been associated with Capello in turn for silverware. But the question must be posed as to whether it is the players and not the manager who are to blame.

One must firstly look at Sven’s Manchester City this season for that example, a club who are excelling in the premiership beyond expectation, unlike the poor England side of 2006 who fell victim in Germany.

Brian Barwick may feel he is a “winner,” but even his mother is worried he won’t perform.  Just like Sven, Barwick is making a huge transition from club-to-country.

The major question that will daunt even the sternest character is whether you can make English National Football work—and there has not been an answer since 1966.

Roll on Johannesburg.