Fabio Cappello

[TightEnd]

Fabio Capello will be appointed as 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.

The former AC Milan coach's appointment will be ratified by the Football Association following a conference call involving board members at lunchtime.

The 61-year-old Capello succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked in November.


There is no concrete news yet on Capello's assistants, but there is also 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.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was the initial favourite to take over from McClaren, but he eventually ruled himself out of the running.

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 Sir Trevor 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.

They are full of praise for his achievements, qualifications and standing in the game.

   
He would rather have less quality but committed players rather than quality players who are not committed

Seedorf on Capello

"One of his major qualities is to get the best out of his players, to make sure everyone is committed to the team's goals," said Seedorf, who played under Capello at Real Madrid.

"He is very, very specific in what he wants and very clear what he wants from every player.

"Sometimes he really pushes you to the limits and that, of course, has proven effective.

"When the focus is on the training, then he really expects 100% and not less.

"He would rather have less quality but committed players rather than quality players who are not committed.

"But he is also very experienced with great players and is able to get the best out of them."

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.

McClaren paid the price for England's failure to reach next year's European Championships.



your early predictions please? good appointment?

[kinboshi]

Good manager.  Dodgy bloke by all accounts, but a top-notch manager.

Predictions?  England 2010 World Champions.

[Graham C]

Can't complain, anyone that wants the job would have done, but to get someone that wants it and has a great track record is terrific. 

Great appointment, let's hope he can sort our side out.

[AdamM]

I'm optimistic (but then I always am)

He certainly won't let anyone else interfere with him team selection.

Wonder how long before the media turn on him?

[kinboshi]

Wonder how long before the media turn on him?

They've already started...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/12/12/england-target-is-fan-of-fascist-89520-20237389/

[boldie]

LMAO @ this appointment.

Capello plays boring footie...win at all costs is what he says....He is a boring man..and gets paid an absolute fortune.

Maybe you shouldn't have sacked Sven?

[TightEnd]

Speaks the Dutch guy who's team have bundles of flair (and all hate each other) but win nothing either!!

[ChipRich]

As long as he makes us a winning team, it doesn't really matter if hes boring or not.

His record is good, he should still be at Real Madrid IMO, as he won the league with them then got sacked. Madrids presidents are wierd like that though.

Good appointment

[kinboshi]

LMAO @ this appointment.

Capello plays boring footie...win at all costs is what he says....He is a boring man..and gets paid an absolute fortune.

Maybe you shouldn't have sacked Sven?

Rather us play dull footy and win, than dull footy and lose.

[boldie]

LMAO @ this appointment.

Capello plays boring footie...win at all costs is what he says....He is a boring man..and gets paid an absolute fortune.

Maybe you shouldn't have sacked Sven?

Rather us play dull footy and win, than dull footy and lose.

then why sack Sven?

[boldie]

Speaks the Dutch guy who's team have bundles of flair (and all hate each other) but win nothing either!!

actually..under Van Basten the team has no flair, loves eachother and scrape 1-0's against everybody. I want the good old days of fair hatred and losing when playing the beaufitull game back..at least that way if you lose you watched a good game.

[Longy]

Excellent track record, proven winner are the pluses.

He can't speak English if im not mistaken, has the ability to rub people up the wrong way, the press will be on his back from the get go and he is about as un media friendly as you can get. Plays very boring football.

All in all, as long we win games under him, which seems likely I will be happy. A much better appointment than Mc Claren so there is hope.

[TheChipPrince]

As I said in another thread   ------      Grinding winning football >>>>>>>>>>> Exciting losing football...

[bobby1]

Even the greatest ring master cant work unless the animals have the ability to do what he wants them to do.

[kinboshi]

LMAO @ this appointment.

Capello plays boring footie...win at all costs is what he says....He is a boring man..and gets paid an absolute fortune.

Maybe you shouldn't have sacked Sven?

Rather us play dull footy and win, than dull footy and lose.

then why sack Sven?

The winning bit.