The wit and wisdom of Fabio Capello

Last Modified: 13 Dec 2007
By: Channel 4 News

On 'cheating' Sven, the Man United job and the "great" Robbie Fowler... nearly-England-boss Fabio Capello in his own words.

Fabio vs. Sven
Sven Goran-Eriksson may have backed Fabio Capello for the England job - but the pair have not always seen eye to eye.

In 2001, Roma boss Capello said Sven's Lazio side should be stripped of the title for "cheating" by fielding ineligible players. Sven called him "mad".

"Last year Lazio and Inter fielded irregular players, penalising the teams that had abided by the rules.

"The right thing to do would be to re-write the standings and penalise the clubs who were in the wrong.

"And it should be done immediately - not two years after the events.

"Last season Juan Sebastian Veron played as a European player for Lazio but now he's back to playing as a non-EU player.

"I cannot see for the life of me how if somebody cheated can he get off with it. Those who made mistakes must pay for them."

Compensation culture
Newcastle might finally have a friend at the FA in their continual battles for compensation for Michael Owen's internationally-attained injuries. In 2005 Capello said this:

"There needs to be compensation for the clubs from the national federations when a player hurts himself, because the clubs pay the athletes and suffer major damages when there is an injury."

'I don't like criticising referees, but...'
Capello is already well versed in the English tradition of dodgy referring decisions. He watched in disbelief as a penalty decision was reversed in front of the Kop as his Roma side won 1-0 at Anfield, but lost 2-1 on aggregate in February 2001.

"He (the ref) pointed twice and then changed his mind. I don't know why. I have never seen anything like that before."

Qualification for dummies
Clearly his outstanding track record helped the FA decide Capello was the man for the England job, but the following sentiments told to the Sunday Times in 2001 might have struck a chord too...

"I've had a revolutionary idea. I think certain countries should get into the World Cup finals by invitation, and not to have to qualify. Italy, France, England, Germany, Brazil, Argentina - the countries who built the history of football, who still do. Maybe invite Russia, too."

Owen goal?
Capello does not speak English, and has never managed in England. But there is one thing he knows - Michael Owen gets injured. He said in an interview in 2004 that Owen might not be cut out for consistent top flight football.

"Michael Owen is a very talented player, but he is held back by his physical problems and all his injuries prevent him from playing continuously.

In modern football it's fundamental to have the physical shape to match your talent because you can't show your ability if you are not fit. The really talented players are the ones who play at high speed, who do things before anyone else sees it."

'I choose England'
England is Capello's "dream job", and as he revealed in 2002 it far outweighs any yearnings to manage his motherland.

"I am not interested in the Italian national team. I prefer to have a new experience, outside of Italy.

"Between the national team and abroad, I choose England.

"For the language, the mentality. I believe I can do it. It is a dream of mine, something I have held for a long time.''

Thierry who?
In 2006 the former Juventus boss said he thought Thierry Henry could not handle the pressure of playing for the Italian giants, during the Frenchman's 16-game stint there.

"He [Henry] came from a club where he knew every fan to one where every fan thought they knew him. It was a huge pressure for someone so young."

Ea-sy, ea-sy
Capello has a reputation as a hardman, but he thinks a footballer's life is an easy one, as he outlined in 2006.

"They say I'm hard on my men, but we only work two hours every day when the season is under way.

"Any ordinary professional works eight hours every day, so training with full commitment for two hours should not be a problem for any athlete.

"The commitment in training must be total. We can have fun, too, but when it's time to work I expect my players to apply themselves fully.

"We have seen over the last few years that simply wearing the white shirt does not guarantee wins."

Player managers
Capello, the man who scored the goal which helped Italy get there first ever win at Wembley, said in 2002 that being a great player does help make you a great manager. Sometimes.

"There are qualities which every coach needs - dedication, knowledge of the game, tactics - but above all he needs good players and supporting staff because without them he can achieve nothing.

"As for the importance of a top-level playing career, it helps in understanding the pressures and psychological aspects but it is not necessarily decisive.

"Arrigo Sacchi was never a professional player but you cannot argue with what he did as a coach."

End it like Beckham
If it all goes 'Steve McClaren' for Capello, he could always 'do a Beckham'. When the MLS reformed in the mid-90s he revealed he'd like to give it a whirl.

"It's always been a dream of mine to go and coach in the United States, but just at the moment I've other things to do. I think this time, though, soccer could work in America. They have their soccer enthusiasts: Hispanics in America and there is the big university participation."

Madchester
Like Sven, it seems as well of dreaming of England, he's also thinking about Manchester... he told the News of the World in 2001 that he'd like Fergie's job.

"Yes, I would like to manage Manchester United.

"I like England, I like the spirit of the English football and I'd like to work in English football. At the moment I have signed for Roma for two years so we will have to wait. Maybe we will have to wait one year."

A results business?
It seems the one thing Capello's new £6m contract won't include a requirement to win something - which is handy given it's England. In 1996 he quit after his AC Milan bosses inserted a contract clause which said he must win something - or face the sack.

"A club which obliges you to accept clauses has no faith in you. It's a question of faith."

Robbie the great
It's clearly too late for a call-up for Cardiff's Robbie Fowler, but the Scouse property baron has a fan in Capello, who was mystified at Liverpool's decision to sell him to Leeds in 2002.

"Fowler is a great player and when we managers have the opportunity to work with such talent we should do everything to convince them to overcome their difficulties.

"I understand Fowler wouldn't accept being a substitute and always wanted to be in the starting line-up. But I never thought he would leave.

"I know a coach has to think about the balance in the dressing room but I would never allow a player like him to go. Players also have to understand the sort of problems a coach has to overcome."

Beck to the future
One hundred caps-seeking David Beckham won over his former Real Madrid boss Capello - prompting hopes he won't be left marooned on 99.

"He [Beckham] will practise, but he is not going to play. "The player's decision is to go to Los Angeles. He has always been a great professional, but a player who has such a major contract with another team ... we cannot count on him." (January 2007)

"The only thing that influenced me has been Beckham's work and attitude.

"We had doubts after he signed such an important contract with the American side.

"We doubted he could train with the same enthusiasm after that, but he has been training perfectly.

"He has the full support of his team mates. He has behaved like a great professional and is now returning to the squad." (February 2007)