Capello says he wants to stay on as England coach but FA wants 2 weeks to decide

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/06/2010 (5943 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RUSTENBURG, South Africa – England’s Football Association told Fabio Capello on Monday that it will take two weeks to decide whether to retain the Italian as coach of the national team.

Capello, who has two years left on his contract, said he met with FA board member Dave Richards and told him he “absolutely” wants to stay on despite England’s elimination from the World Cup by Germany.

“He told me that he needs two weeks time to decide,” Capello said. “I said I can be for the next season the manager of England. I like this job. I like to be England manager.”

Capello led England to nine wins from 10 qualifying matches and British bookmakers had made them one of the top favourites behind Spain and Brazil ahead of the competition. After struggling to make it through the first round group stage, however, England exited the second round Sunday following a 4-1 loss — its more lopsided ever at a World Cup.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan coach said he supported Richards’ response.

“I think it’s an intelligent answer,” Capello said.

“I refuse a lot of opportunities to be a manager of important clubs because I like to stay here.”

He said he and Richards had discussed the need to turn to younger players and rebuild the side.

That could mean the likes of John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who are all in their late 20s or early 30s, could be facing the end of their international careers if Capello stays on.

The Italian said tiredness was the main reason for England’s poor performance at the World Cup after long seasons in domestic and European competitions.

“The players were not as good as I know because they played not so fast, not so quick. I can see through the seven games they were not so fast as I know,” he said in reference to three warmup games and the four played at the tournament.

“I understand a lot after this tournament. The players trained very well and were focused every time. But the performance was not at the level that I know. Probably we are really tired every time at a competition that we have to play.”

Capello noted that Germany has a long mid-winter break and that might explain why its players appeared fresher at the end of their domestic and European campaigns and for the World Cup.

“Germany always arrive at the second part of the season very well when you play Champions League,” he said, referring to Bayern Munich reaching the final of European football’s premier club competition.

“The reason is that it’s very important to recover the force. But it’s not my job to decide the calendar.”