Capello Could be off the Hook
There are strong indications coming out of the English Football Association that Fabio Capello will not be sacked as the England manager.
Capello seems to have the backing of one or two high profile individuals within the organisation, which provides a good idea of the sort of feeling that exists in the FA camp. This news will come as a welcome relief to Capello who is surely disappointed by the way England played during the World Cup.
However, there is still time for things to change and the support is only coming from one or two people. The FA have yet to hold a full meeting over Capello's future and it is expected that both the pros and the cons will be discussed at this meeting before a final decision is made.
England are so close to playing well. It only needs a few tweaks in Capello's managerial style and the way that certain players fit into the team to get the side performing. Support for Capello has never been questioned but sacking him is likely to be one step backwards at this moment in time.
The Positives
Many will find it difficult to think of some positives to Capello staying. However, there are more than most English football fans imagine at this point, fresh from the sting of a very poor World Cup campaign. Capello will surely now see that the system he has in his mind does not work. This means he will have to change the way the team plays and this should lead to better performances.
Keeping him will mean avoiding another big compensation package being paid out by the FA. The FA would probably then go and put pressure on key English individuals who would be favoured for the job. These managers already have contracts with Premier League clubs and because of this it would increase tension between the national side and domestic sides.
An end to the Capello regime would mean an end to the authority and discipline that have been installed in the England side. These qualities have made the England team into a strong unit and there is no point at all in taking this aspect away from the set-up.
The Negatives
The negatives to keeping Capello are equally numerous. The side would be left with a seemingly stubborn manager that does not like his players speaking openly and honestly within the English media and it would take an enormous amount of pressure to get him to change his system.
Some will argue that Capello has had all of the time needed to make an impression on the side and getting them to play in a certain way. The old saying that old dogs don't learn new tricks would surface and there could be a general feeling around the country that Capello would be effectively let off the hook if he is shown faith.
There is already tension on the team between certain players and the manager. Some players went to the World Cup as part of Capello's big plan but then they were hardly used at all and spent most of their time sitting on the bench.
Advice
Go with your instinct in terms of whether you feel that Capello will get the sack or be kept on as the manager of the England side. Be wary of betting on the side when they play against so called bigger teams if the system he uses does not change.
Have confidence in England topping their Euro 2012 qualification group because they should do this comfortably after the disappointment of their campaign last time under Steve McClaren. Keep faith in he bigger players who are more likely to pop up with goals.
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