The FA have confirmed that Fabio Capello will continue as the manager of England, despite his side’s woeful showing at this summer’s World Cup.
The decision was made at a meeting held by the Club England board (which includes the likes of the FA’s head of media Adrian Bevington and director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking) today, and puts an end to a tense few days of speculation over the Italian’s immediate future.
In a statement issued on the Club England website, chairman Sir Dave Richards said;
“We are all still extremely disappointed at our performance in South Africa, and we believed it was important that we took some time to reflect on everything in a calm and considered manner back in England.
After fully discussing our performance we remain convinced that Fabio is the best man for the job.
He went into the World Cup with a reputation as one of World football’s finest managers and we are confident Fabio will benefit from his first international tournament experience and this will undoubtedly make us all stronger for the Euro 2012 campaign.”
FA Board Acting Chairman Roger Burden added;
“The FA Board supports this decision. It is the right decision and will allow us now to rebuild for the future with Fabio leading us forward.”
And Capello himself said;
“I am more determined than ever to succeed with the England team.
Sir Dave Richards has called me to tell me everyone at The FA wants me to continue. I explained it is very important we use the disappointment as a motivation in the future.
I can assure the fans I am now fully focused on our European qualifying fixtures, starting with the friendly against Hungary in August.
We will look to introduce new players to give the team new energy and I will use all my experience to take England forward.
I am extremely proud to be the England Manager, it means so much to me and I am determined to succeed.”
The 64-year-old will now be charged with the process of qualifying England for the European Championships in 2012 and, in the shorter-term, rebuilding an ailing national side that fell apart so readily under questioning in South Africa.
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