Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Judging by the amount of hastily cobbled together puns on Fabio Capello's name in this morning's British tabloids, it now seems certain that the former Real Madrid boss will be named as the new England manager by the time you read this. Either that, or the Football Association's press officer, who spent last night briefing everyone to say that it's a done deal, is going to have to look for new employment himself in 2008.
I'm still disappointed that Brian Barwick failed to convince Jose Mourinho to take the job. We will probably never know what they said to each other earlier this week, but I sincerely hope that the FA supremo didn't just march in and start waving money about. They say that anyone can be convinced to do anything if you know what buttons to press, and it seemed apparent that the way to Mourinho was to massage his bulging ego, not his already bulging wallet. Whatever happened, it's a great shame that they couldn't agree.
Despite Mourinho's all too public refusal of the job, there's no way that this should be seen as a case of "Second Choice Fabio." After all, Capello, more than anyone, fits the stated profile of 'world class' manager. The Italian has won a league title at every club he has ever managed and is widely regarded as one of the finest in the business. So why am I not convinced that this appointment will herald a golden era for English football?
For some reason there are ludicrously high levels of expectation for this position. England are the Tottenham of international football; they've won nothing of any importance since the 1960s, but the fans seem convinced of their divine right to silverware. This means that anything less than astonishing success breeds resentment and it's something that the British newspapers are only too happy to take advantage of. When Graham Taylor was publicly and personally eviscerated in 1993 it was a watershed for journalistic standards. From the moment that Taylor's head was superimposed onto a turnip, nothing was sacred.
In 2006, it seemed so apparent that Phil Scolari was next in line for a sip at the poisoned chalice, that journalists were packed off to Portugal in their droves. Scolari found himself besieged by photographers before he'd even agreed terms. A big, unflattering picture of Mrs Scolari, who looks exactly as you would expect a 60-something Brazilian grandmother to look, appeared in a British newspaper next to a picture of Sven Goran Eriksson's pendulumic girlfriend, the glamorous Nancy Del'Olio. The talks ended soon afterwards.
Capello has had to deal with the slings and arrows of the Madrid press, but at least they only ever attacked him for his tactics. A quick glance at today's newspapers will reveal, "Secret Drugs Shock Of New England Boss" and "Heart Of Stone - Fabio Never Returns To See Old Pals". Like Scolari, he hasn't even said 'yes' yet.
Sven Goran Eriksson put it very nicely earlier this month when he said that the key to success as an England manager was, "win every game, do not do anything in your private life and don't earn too much money."
The problem is that Eriksson's time at the helm of the national team is, minus the dalliances with TV presenters, the perfect blueprint for what we can expect from Capello. He delivered consistent results in a no-frills fashion, qualifying for every tournament at the top of the group and guiding England to the last eight of every competition. When he arrived England were crying out for a 'continental' manager who could do the simple things well, but in the end it was his simplicity and his nationality that turned the public and the press against him. Whatever you read now about Capello's undoubted tactical genius and worldwide knowledge, I promise you that you will see it all used against him after his first defeat when the call goes up for, "an English boss, someone who understands what it is to be passionate."
I wish Capello the very best of luck as England manager. I don't care what country the manager is from, or what tactics he plays, I just want to see my nation playing with pride and, for once, looking like they care as much as the fans do. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely convinced that he'll be given the chance to succeed.
I'm still disappointed that Brian Barwick failed to convince Jose Mourinho to take the job. We will probably never know what they said to each other earlier this week, but I sincerely hope that the FA supremo didn't just march in and start waving money about. They say that anyone can be convinced to do anything if you know what buttons to press, and it seemed apparent that the way to Mourinho was to massage his bulging ego, not his already bulging wallet. Whatever happened, it's a great shame that they couldn't agree.
Despite Mourinho's all too public refusal of the job, there's no way that this should be seen as a case of "Second Choice Fabio." After all, Capello, more than anyone, fits the stated profile of 'world class' manager. The Italian has won a league title at every club he has ever managed and is widely regarded as one of the finest in the business. So why am I not convinced that this appointment will herald a golden era for English football?
For some reason there are ludicrously high levels of expectation for this position. England are the Tottenham of international football; they've won nothing of any importance since the 1960s, but the fans seem convinced of their divine right to silverware. This means that anything less than astonishing success breeds resentment and it's something that the British newspapers are only too happy to take advantage of. When Graham Taylor was publicly and personally eviscerated in 1993 it was a watershed for journalistic standards. From the moment that Taylor's head was superimposed onto a turnip, nothing was sacred.
In 2006, it seemed so apparent that Phil Scolari was next in line for a sip at the poisoned chalice, that journalists were packed off to Portugal in their droves. Scolari found himself besieged by photographers before he'd even agreed terms. A big, unflattering picture of Mrs Scolari, who looks exactly as you would expect a 60-something Brazilian grandmother to look, appeared in a British newspaper next to a picture of Sven Goran Eriksson's pendulumic girlfriend, the glamorous Nancy Del'Olio. The talks ended soon afterwards.
Capello has had to deal with the slings and arrows of the Madrid press, but at least they only ever attacked him for his tactics. A quick glance at today's newspapers will reveal, "Secret Drugs Shock Of New England Boss" and "Heart Of Stone - Fabio Never Returns To See Old Pals". Like Scolari, he hasn't even said 'yes' yet.
Sven Goran Eriksson put it very nicely earlier this month when he said that the key to success as an England manager was, "win every game, do not do anything in your private life and don't earn too much money."
The problem is that Eriksson's time at the helm of the national team is, minus the dalliances with TV presenters, the perfect blueprint for what we can expect from Capello. He delivered consistent results in a no-frills fashion, qualifying for every tournament at the top of the group and guiding England to the last eight of every competition. When he arrived England were crying out for a 'continental' manager who could do the simple things well, but in the end it was his simplicity and his nationality that turned the public and the press against him. Whatever you read now about Capello's undoubted tactical genius and worldwide knowledge, I promise you that you will see it all used against him after his first defeat when the call goes up for, "an English boss, someone who understands what it is to be passionate."
I wish Capello the very best of luck as England manager. I don't care what country the manager is from, or what tactics he plays, I just want to see my nation playing with pride and, for once, looking like they care as much as the fans do. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely convinced that he'll be given the chance to succeed.