Capello's wait is over
Fabio Capello began work at Soho Square this morning and declared he has been wanting to manage England "for a long time".
Although Capello was at Villa Park and Kenilworth Road over the weekend to watch two closely contested FA Cup ties, his reign as Steve McClaren's successor did not officially begin until Monday.
"It is a huge honour for me to begin my work as England manager," said the Italian. "I have wanted this job for a long time. I have had the privilege of managing some of the most successful clubs in the world, but the England job is as big as any."
Capello has already been joined by trusted adviser Franco Baldini and the pair are set to visit Wembley Stadium later this week, as well as Arsenal's London Colney training ground to inspect the facilities England have used since their return to their magnificent new home.
The trip should also allow Capello to renew acquaintances with his old Real Madrid player David Beckham, the only member of the England squad he has any experience of working with. Beckham is expected to be installed as captain for Capello's first match in charge; the February 6 friendly with Switzerland, when he will win his 100th cap.
Already almost 70,000 tickets have been sold for the game, a vast improvement on what had been anticipated in the immediate aftermath of that catastrophic defeat to Croatia at the same stadium in November.
And Capello, who confirmed he will attend both Carling Cup semi-finals this week, before getting a taste of Premier League combat at the weekend, admits he cannot wait for the action to start.
"I have always followed English football closely and admired the passion and intensity of both the games and the crowds," he said.
"The England fans are famous around the world for their strength of support. With that support also comes expectation. I will have my first experience of managing an England team when we play Switzerland at Wembley next month and look forward to feeling that amazing following for myself on that night.
"I have very good memories of the old stadium as I scored there for Italy in 1973. Playing for my country at the home of football was one of the highlights of my career and to lead out the England team at the new Wembley will be a very big moment."
Capello & England are ready to compete
Fabio Capello is happy to accept the weight of expectation that comes with being England manager.
Although he attended FA Cup ties at Villa Park and Kenilworth Road at the weekend, the Italian officially succeeded Steve McClaren this morning and immediately set about putting his own stamp on the job.
In meetings with FA chief executive Brian Barwick, director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce, Capello outlined his thoughts on next week's World Cup fixtures meeting in Zagreb, his preferred summer programme of matches given England will not be represented at Euro 2008 and the close liaison he expects with Pearce during his time in the hotseat.
Both Barwick and Brooking have already confirmed they intend to 'suck out' all Capello's coaching expertise as they look to build a coaching structure capable of delivering an English candidate into the top job.
But for now, they are reliant on Capello, whose extensive CV incorporating nine league titles and spells with Juventus, AC Milan and Real Madrid, suggests he will not be fazed by the pressure that comes with taking charge of England.
"I have always followed English football closely and admired the passion and intensity of both the games and the crowds," he said.
"The England fans are famous around the world for their strength of support. With that support also comes expectation."
Capello has set himself up for a busy few days, during which time he will watch both Carling Cup semi-finals, at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates Stadium.
By the time he gets to Wednesday night, he will have seen the vast majority of the men likely to be in his first squad, for the visit of Switzerland to Wembley on February 6.
In all probability, he will also have visited Wembley and Arsenal's London Colney training complex, which England use as their south of England base, offering an obvious opportunity to renew acquaintances with David Beckham.
The former captain is the only member of the current England squad Capello has any experience of working with.
Although their relationship at Real Madrid had a tempestuous phase, when Beckham was axed following his announcement of a now-completed move to LA Galaxy, it would be a major surprise if the 32-year-old was not named skipper against the Swiss, mainly because he will be winning his 100th cap.
How long Beckham remains in Capello's plans after that is anyone's guess, as he presumably would not be available for whatever ideas the Italian has in mind for the summer - either a couple of home fixtures or a short tour - as the Major League Soccer season will be in full swing.
As England are not due to begin their World Cup campaign until September, Blackburn's David Bentley, seen by many as Beckham's heir apparent, has plenty of chance to stake his claim for a regular place.
Gabriel Agbonlahor is another youngster likely to be exposed to senior ranks, despite an ineffective performance for Aston Villa against Manchester United on Saturday, with Capello keen to work closely with Pearce to ensure the Under-21 set-up does prove to be a valuable breeding ground for future talent.
"I want to have a close working relationship with him (Pearce)," said Capello. "The Under-21s play an important part in the England [Senior] team's development."
Pearce is regarded by many as the most likely Englishman to be co-opted onto Capello's four-man Italian coaching team, a move Brooking in particular is keen should be more than just mere window dressing.
It could well be that Pearce is reluctant to give up his Under-21 duties completely, especially after guiding his side to the semi-finals of last summer's European Championships.
As an already-established member of England's matchday staff, Pearce will certainly be on hand to offer Capello any advice he needs ahead of the Switzerland game, which will represent the new man's first meaningful visit to Wembley since he scored the winner for Italy in a World Cup qualifier in 1973.
"I will have my first experience of managing an England team when we play Switzerland at Wembley next month and look forward to feeling that amazing following of the England fans for myself on that night," he said.
"I have very good memories of the old stadium. Playing for my country at the home of football was one of the highlights of my career and to lead out the England team at the new Wembley will be a very big moment.
"It is a huge honour for me to today begin my work as England manager. I have wanted this job for a long time.
"I have had the privilege of managing some of the most successful clubs in the world, but the England job is as big as any."
