When he took that decisive stand in sacking John Terry in a 12-minute meeting at Wembley last February, Fabio Capello drew widespread approval. It was seen as the act of a coach in total command. However, in what appears to be a dramatic U-turn, and an apparent feeling that his 1st choice captain has 'suffered' enough, Capello is on the brink of reversing a decision he once insisted was irreversible, which now indicates at weakness, giving ammunition to those who feel he has lost the heart for the England job.
If this media speculation does indeed become fact, Capello’s handling of it will incense Rio Ferdinand, who may now consider his international future in the light of his treatment, and also try the patience of deputies Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Capello said last night: “I want to speak with the players but in the end it will be my decision.
“I think I need to make a decision about a permanent captain. I am going to Manchester to speak to Rio. First of all I want to know what has happened with his back and when he’ll be fit because he is a very important player for us.
“And I will explain to him about what I will do next week, if I will decide for the new captain to be John Terry.”
This follows a series of events which have been puzzling to say the least.
When he apparently announced the end of David Beckham's career on television, few could believe what they were hearing.
Capello, who made significant mistakes in South Africa, could undoubtedly have handled the whole affair better – and called Beckham direct – though it is not his way to have done so.
Then there was the upgrading of Gareth Bale, who has gone from the man whose team couldn't win if he was playing,to the best player in the world according to Fabio Capello.
After once playing a record 24 Premier League games without finishing on the winning side for Tottenham, the Welsh wideman is now rated at £50million. Whilst Bale is indeed a very good player, he has been subdued in a number of games by players who would not be recognised as the best in the world in their position. Most would suggest there are indeed better players in the world than Bale.
Now Capello has nominated Jack Wilshere as a future England captain after claiming the 19-year-old is the most exciting young midfield talent he has ever seen. Surely this is a pressure the young man could have done without, after all Pep Guardiola has claimed that the Barcelona reserve team is full of players like the 19-year-old and that the midfielder is a first-team regular only because Arsène Wenger is not under pressure to win titles.
Are these the actions of a coach who knows he is on a very lucrative short-term contract and that he will not have to pick up the pieces when things will no doubt go wrong?
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