Soccer News

'Insulted' Capello resigns as England manager

By Ben James Feb 8, 2012, 20:47 GMT

Fabio Capello, during the UEFA Champions League soccer match Ssc Napoli vs Manchester City Fc at San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy on 22 November 2011. EPA/CIRO FUSCO

London - Fabio Capello sent shockwaves though English football on Wednesday when he resigned as national team manager, claiming the Football Association had undermined his authority by sacking John Terry as captain.

Capello, 65, stepped down after a meeting with FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley Stadium over the dispute surrounding Terry.

'In a meeting lasting more than an hour, Fabio's resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England Manager with immediate effect,' the FA said inj a statement.

Bernstein said: 'We have accepted Fabio's resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.

'I would like to stress that during today's meeting and throughout his time as England Manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner.'

But in comments later attributed to Italpress, Capello said the FA's actions had made it easy for him to step down.

'They really insulted me and damaged my authority,' the Italian was quoted as saying. 'What really hit me and forced me to take this decision was the much-vaunted Anglo-Saxon sense of justice, as they are the first to claim that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

'In Terry's case, they gravely offended me and damaged my authority at the head of the England side, effectively creating a problem for the squad.

'I have never tolerated certain crossing of lines, so it was easy for me to spot it and take my decision to leave.'

The FA confirmed that they will hold a press conference on Thursday at 1100 GMT.

The shock development happened on the same day that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp - long seen as the next England manager - was cleared of charges of tax evasion by a London court.

English bookmakers immediately installed Redknapp as the odds-on favourite though Stuart Pearce, the coach of the under-21 side, is set to take charge of the team for the friendly against Holland at Wembley on Feb 29.

Terry was stripped of the captaincy last week in the wake of increasing dismay that his trial for alleged racist abuse has been delayed until July 9, after the completion of Euro 2012.

The 31-year-old Chelsea captain is alleged to have abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a league match.

Capello, whose contract was due to expire after Euro 2012, told Italian television last weekend that he believed Terry should have been retained as captain because he was innocent until proven guilty.

'I completely disagree with the FA about the John Terry decision and I have told that to the chairman,' Capello told Italian television station Rai Uno.

Many pundits sided with the FA decision, but Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Capello was entitled to have his own opinion on the matter as manager.

Former FA chief David Davies told the BBC that Capello's resignation could be a blessing in disguise.

'Sometimes out of adversity, you get the players coming together as a result,' he said. 'So that's the job for whoever takes over, Harry Redknapp, or whoever it is.'

Two of the young players who Capello brought into the senior side, Jack Wilshere and Kyle Walker, admitted their disappointment at the news.

'Shocked about news on Fabio Capello, gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello,' Arsenal midfielder Wilshere said on Twitter.

'People have their own judgment on Capello but for a young player who was given the chance to play for my country at such a young age. He has shown great belief and trust in me so I can only thank him. Massive influence on my career so far! Sad to see him go!

Tottenham defender Walker, tipped for a place in the squad for the summer tournament, said: 'Gutted to see Fabio Capello go. He put a lot of trust in me and gave me my first cap just want to say a big thanks really.'

Former England captain Alan Shearer said the next England manager should be an Englishman and that Redknapp was the outstanding candidate.

'He's a genius at motivating players,' Shearer said.

'Let's move on and get someone who wants to manage England in a major tournament. Managers come and go and you have to be professional as a player. They'll want to put on the white shirt and go out there and play regardless of who's in charge.'