English FA to face media following Capello’s exit

AP, Thursday 9 Feb 2012

FA to explain recent events surrounding Capello's resignation at press conference, feverish press speculation that Harry Redknapp will be offered job

Capello
England coach Fabio Capello

England’s Football Association will give its version of the events that led to Fabio Capello’s resignation as coach when it holds a news conference Thursday, and could also give a first hint of who the Italian’s successor will be.

Capello quit Wednesday, just four months ahead of the European Championship, angry that he had not been consulted by the FA over its decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

The sudden resignation has led to widespread speculation that the FA will hire Harry Redknapp instead, after the Tottenham manager was cleared of tax evasion in a London court on the day that Capello quit.

Capello said Terry should have been allowed to lead the side since his criminal trial for racially abusing an opponent is not scheduled until after the 8 June-1July tournament.

The FA decided on a more cautious approach, leaving Terry available for selection but removing him as the team’s figurehead.

FA Chairman David Bernstein is set to speak at Thursday’s conference, giving him and other members of the governing body the chance to expand upon the brief statement it already released.

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

Capello stood down following an hourlong meeting with officials at Wembley.

Britain’s famously influential and vocal newspapers have almost unanimously backed Redknapp as the new coach.

Many of the major dailies had pictures of both Capello and Redknapp on their front pages on Thursday, with tabloid The Sun using the headline“‘Arryvederci.”

The London-born Redknapp, who has led Tottenham to third place in this season’s Premier League, has long spoken of his belief that the next England manager should be English and also that the job is the pinnacle for any English coach.

However, he has also said that he would personally miss the daily interaction with players that comes with working for a club.

“I think we’re jumping the gun a little bit here,” Keith Mills, a non-executive director at Tottenham, told BBC Radio. “Whether Harry will be approached is not a foregone conclusion. If he is, then Harry has got a big decision to make.

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