Fabio Capello has told Italian television that taking the England job could be “the crowning moment of my career,” but fears “a rude awakening.”
He put pen to paper on a contract with the FA yesterday evening and spoke exclusively with RAI Due show ‘Dribbling.’
“It is an exciting adventure, certainly a difficult one with many obstacles to overcome, but I have always liked a challenge,” said the Coach.
“Now I will try something different. It is a dream that I had been close to a few years ago, but now it has finally been realised. Like all dreams, I hope it doesn’t end with a rude awakening.”
Capello has won every major trophy with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, but takes the step up to international management in a new country.
“There is a very different way of working in a country where football is a religion. Everyone asks themselves why the England team cannot win, while their club sides get such great results.
“It will be different from the past because I will not be able to work on a daily level and that gives you another rapport with the lads. One must do well to create a group in a short period of time. It has been too long since England have won and that creates an even tougher task for me.”
He had said the Three Lions needed “a psychologist” more than a Coach and reiterates the failure to qualify for Euro 2008 can be blamed on their mentality.
“I am convinced the psychological issue is important. I get the feeling that some players feel blocked when they take to the field with their national shirt.”
Now 61 years old, Capello can consider this another prestigious step in his long career and has high hopes for silverware.
“Challenges are part of our profession. I certainly want to do well and we will be among Italy’s opponents in the future.”
He has brought in an all-Italian team of technical director Franco Baldini, assistant Italo Galbiati, fitness Coach Massimo Neri and goalkeeping Coach Franco Tancredi.
“I hope, with my staff, to achieve the crowning moment of my career, a marvellous and difficult objective. It would be wonderful to end on a high.”
