Fabio Capello aimed a sideswipe at Steven Gerrard’s lack of discipline when giving advice to Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo.
The Liverpool midfielder was recently charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray after an alleged nightclub brawl.
Gerrard has often been held up as a positive example for young Italian players to follow, while Montolivo has singled him out as an idol.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t want to imitate Gerrard in every way, especially with regards to recent behaviour,” said England manager Capello on firenzeviola.it.
It is still unclear whether Capello will exclude Gerrard from internationals until the legal situation is sorted out, but Liverpool have rushed to defend their star player.
Capello was speaking to Montolivo when he visited Fiorentina’s winter training camp in Marbella yesterday afternoon.
“I was happy to be here and I always have fun chatting with [Cesare] Prandelli about football. Fiorentina are a great squad.
“I won’t talk about tactics because it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to do so, but I can only say that what I saw here was really very interesting.”
Capello also had a special word for Adrian Mutu, who had worked with the Coach when they were both at Juventus.
“He is doing extremely well and represents a crucial figure for this team.”
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