12-13-2007, 02:22 PM
Source: BBC Sport
Fabio Capello will be appointed the next manager of England later on Thursday, BBC Sport understands.
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Italian has been offered a contract to 2010 worth £4m a year, with the option to extend it after the World Cup.
Capello, 61, is in Milan but told the BBC there are a few issues to sort out before his appointment is confirmed.
Asked by 5 Live's Brian Alexander if he was about to become the England boss, he replied: "Not yet. We shall see."
Capello's appointment is expected to be ratified by the Football Association following a conference call involving board members at lunchtime.
The former AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus coach succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked in November following England's failure to qualify for next year's European Championships.
There is no concrete news yet on Capello's assistants, but there is expected to be some kind of English influence, with Alan Shearer or Stuart Pearce tipped to earn a role in the new managerial set-up.
MFE
BBC Sport understands that Capello wants to include Franco Baldini in his backroom team, but the FA are yet to be convinced.
Baldini, who worked with Capello at Roma and Real Madrid, would take on a sporting director role, helping to identify players and watching opposition teams.
The FA are believed to be concerned that the role could overlap with Sir Trevor Brooking's responsibilities, who is director of football.
But Capello has a close relationship with Baldini and believes his footballing expertise would be invaluable.
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was the initial favourite to take over from McClaren, but he eventually ruled himself out of the running.
FABIO CAPELLO FACTFILE
1946: Born in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy
1964: Makes pro debut for Ferrara side SPAL
1973: Scores as Italy beat England at Wembley for first time
1991: Appointed head coach of AC Milan
1992: Wins first of four Italian league titles with Milan
1994: Milan beat Barcelona 4-0 in European Cup final
1997: Wins Spanish league with Real Madrid
2001: Guides Roma to their first Scudetto for 18 years
2004: Wins Scudetto in first season with Juventus
2007: Guides Real to La Liga during his second spell
The FA quickly turned its attentions to Capello, although World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi was also thought to be in contention.
Capello expressed his interest in the job just days after McClaren's departure, describing it as a "beautiful challenge".
He finally met for discussions with FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Brooking in London on Wednesday.
Those talks were described as "extremely positive" by FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.
Capello has a hugely impressive CV and comes with the backing of such football luminaries as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Gianfranco Zola and Clarence Seedorf.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first foreigner to take charge of the England national team, is also a big fan.
"I have known Fabio Capello for many years, I was his opponent in Serie A for 10 years," said the Swede, who was coach of Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria.
He is a very good man and manager... his record speaks very clear... Capello is one of the best managers you can find
Sven-Goran Eriksson
"He is a very good man and manager. His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy.
"Capello is one of the best managers you can find."
Capello has only a limited grasp of the English language but Eriksson added: "That won't be a problem. It certainly wasn't for me as I spoke to him in Italian!"
Capello has enjoyed success in both Italy and Spain.
He has won nine league titles in 16 years as a coach, picking up silverware with all four clubs - AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus - he has been in charge of.
He won the Champions League with Milan in 1994 and was also an accomplished player, winning 32 caps for Italy.
Marcel Desailly played under Capello at Milan during his first spell in charge and has no doubt his former coach will be a success.
You will not see him in trouble with the tabloids... his life is all about football
Marcel Desailly
"He's professional and very demanding, but I think that's what the England players need," the Frenchman told BBC News 24.
"He will put them under pressure to deliver, but that is a good thing.
"And you will not see him in trouble with the tabloids. His life is all about football and he will be focused on his job."
Capello's first game in charge will be a friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February, with another friendly to follow against France in Paris on 26 March.
England's first World Cup qualifier is not until 6 September.
They have been drawn in a group alongside Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.
Well, I personally would have preferred Lippi, but Capello is very good too, finally the F.A. appoint a well known, successful manager. If Capello fails, then there's something seriously wrong with the England players!
Fabio Capello will be appointed the next manager of England later on Thursday, BBC Sport understands.
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Italian has been offered a contract to 2010 worth £4m a year, with the option to extend it after the World Cup.
Capello, 61, is in Milan but told the BBC there are a few issues to sort out before his appointment is confirmed.
Asked by 5 Live's Brian Alexander if he was about to become the England boss, he replied: "Not yet. We shall see."
Capello's appointment is expected to be ratified by the Football Association following a conference call involving board members at lunchtime.
The former AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus coach succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked in November following England's failure to qualify for next year's European Championships.
There is no concrete news yet on Capello's assistants, but there is expected to be some kind of English influence, with Alan Shearer or Stuart Pearce tipped to earn a role in the new managerial set-up.
MFE
BBC Sport understands that Capello wants to include Franco Baldini in his backroom team, but the FA are yet to be convinced.
Baldini, who worked with Capello at Roma and Real Madrid, would take on a sporting director role, helping to identify players and watching opposition teams.
The FA are believed to be concerned that the role could overlap with Sir Trevor Brooking's responsibilities, who is director of football.
But Capello has a close relationship with Baldini and believes his footballing expertise would be invaluable.
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was the initial favourite to take over from McClaren, but he eventually ruled himself out of the running.
FABIO CAPELLO FACTFILE
1946: Born in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy
1964: Makes pro debut for Ferrara side SPAL
1973: Scores as Italy beat England at Wembley for first time
1991: Appointed head coach of AC Milan
1992: Wins first of four Italian league titles with Milan
1994: Milan beat Barcelona 4-0 in European Cup final
1997: Wins Spanish league with Real Madrid
2001: Guides Roma to their first Scudetto for 18 years
2004: Wins Scudetto in first season with Juventus
2007: Guides Real to La Liga during his second spell
The FA quickly turned its attentions to Capello, although World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi was also thought to be in contention.
Capello expressed his interest in the job just days after McClaren's departure, describing it as a "beautiful challenge".
He finally met for discussions with FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Brooking in London on Wednesday.
Those talks were described as "extremely positive" by FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.
Capello has a hugely impressive CV and comes with the backing of such football luminaries as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Gianfranco Zola and Clarence Seedorf.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first foreigner to take charge of the England national team, is also a big fan.
"I have known Fabio Capello for many years, I was his opponent in Serie A for 10 years," said the Swede, who was coach of Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Sampdoria.
He is a very good man and manager... his record speaks very clear... Capello is one of the best managers you can find
Sven-Goran Eriksson
"He is a very good man and manager. His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy.
"Capello is one of the best managers you can find."
Capello has only a limited grasp of the English language but Eriksson added: "That won't be a problem. It certainly wasn't for me as I spoke to him in Italian!"
Capello has enjoyed success in both Italy and Spain.
He has won nine league titles in 16 years as a coach, picking up silverware with all four clubs - AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus - he has been in charge of.
He won the Champions League with Milan in 1994 and was also an accomplished player, winning 32 caps for Italy.
Marcel Desailly played under Capello at Milan during his first spell in charge and has no doubt his former coach will be a success.
You will not see him in trouble with the tabloids... his life is all about football
Marcel Desailly
"He's professional and very demanding, but I think that's what the England players need," the Frenchman told BBC News 24.
"He will put them under pressure to deliver, but that is a good thing.
"And you will not see him in trouble with the tabloids. His life is all about football and he will be focused on his job."
Capello's first game in charge will be a friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February, with another friendly to follow against France in Paris on 26 March.
England's first World Cup qualifier is not until 6 September.
They have been drawn in a group alongside Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.
Well, I personally would have preferred Lippi, but Capello is very good too, finally the F.A. appoint a well known, successful manager. If Capello fails, then there's something seriously wrong with the England players!
![[Image: 102capello_468x605.jpg]](http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_02/102capello_468x605.jpg)
