Fabio Capello blames ‘tired’ players for World Cup defeat
This was the sort of stubborn resistance that we wanted, a “they shall not pass” mentality.
Pity it was at a media conference at Rustenburg rather than on the pitch at Bloemfontein the previous afternoon. England’s three lions were still l*****g their wounds after Germany had subjected them to their heaviest defeat at a World Cup finals so it was left to the manager, Fabio Capello, to face the music.
It will be a long piece because the Football Association’s Club England chairman, Sir Dave Richards, has told Capello that he will not give a decision for another two weeks. Maybe he’s hoping that everyone will just forget?
The tunes of glory had given way to a requiem for the nation’s hopes and the Italian was trying to do something that had proved beyond the capabilities of his players – mount a credible defence.
There was no time to feel out the opposition, who were playing through the middle from the kick-off. The first question was direct: did he have a future as England manager? “I spoke this morning with Sir Dave Richards. He told me that he needs two weeks to decide,” Capello replied. “I said that I can be the manager of England for next season. But he has to decide.”
Capello has already made his decision, which is to carry on. “Absolutely,” he said, which appeared to leave Richards with the simple task of giving his manager a vote of confidence – for what little value they have in the Machiavellian world of football.
The world of England's football has changed greatly in 48 hours. The so-called golden generation is tarnished beyond saving and Capello is already considering drafting in younger faces, if any will fit in at this level. “Yes, I know,” he said. “We spoke about this. About younger players that we can play for the next qualification and I know what I have to do.”
In four years’ time Wayne Rooney will still be only 28 but he has spent this tournament performing with all the verve of a pensioner and his contribution – or the lack of – is another key issue that Cappello has to face. “I think not [just] Wayne Rooney, but all the English players have been really tired at this competition.
“I spoke with the coaches and they told me that the physical situation of the players was not like the players that we know. All the players were not so good because they played not so fast like I know they played in those other games.”
The malaise that had first appeared in warm-up before the tournament clung to the squad through their group games and weighed even more heavily during the 4-1 defeat by Germany. “We played some moment well, but not so fast.”
Reviewing the Germany match specifically, Capello said: “The Lampard goal was ok. The motivation at 2-2 would be completely different. We played well until they scored the third goal but after 3-1 Germany played better.”
Asked why Richards needed for two weeks to come to a decision, Adrian Bevington, the Club England managing director, stepped in. “Sir Dave Richardson met with Fabio this morning and we are all very clear that Fabio is under contract with the FA until the 2012 European Championships and nothing has changed in that respect," Bevington said.
“Obviously everybody is very disappointed today with the fact that we've gone out of the World Cup in a manner that everyone back in England and the fans that have travelled are incredibly frustrated and disappointed with.
“So it makes perfect sense for us to go back to London and take stock of the situation, reflect fully on the tournament and see what we can take from it and just speak to Fabio from there.
“I don't think there is anything sinister in it beyond that other than we just want to make sure that we show a commonsense approach rather than making any other snap knee-jerk reactions within 24 hours of a very disappointing result,” he added.
If only Matthew Upson had been able to close down Miroslav Klose so conclusively.
Capello made it clear that he wants to carry on and then shed light on what he believes were the main factors that contributed to England’s dismal showing. “I refuse a lot of opportunities to be a manager of important clubs, because I like to stay here [with England]. I like this job and I like to be England manager.
“I understand a lot after this tournament. The players train very well, are focused every time but the performances was not like what I know. We are really tired every time for the competition we have to play in June.”
That raised the issue of a need for a winter break to which Capello said: “Germany always arrive in second half of season very well [because they have a winter break]. But it's not my job to decide that.” Given that a winter break could probably only be accommodated by playing fewer games – either with a smaller Premier League or dropping the Carling Cup, those whose job is to decide are unlikely to vote in favour.
The rumour favoured as to why England failed to perform is player revolt within the squad but that was flatly denied by the manager. “Absolutely not. The players here were happy and tried to do everything in the best moment,” he said, adding about his squad selection and tactical formation, which relied on 4-4-2: “I choose the style always depending on the kind of players I have in my squad.”
The one question that went unsaid was what squad Capello might pick for the next World Cup? The answer would probably be Brazil.
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