Capello, as predicted...

Capello to become England manager

Fabio Capello will be appointed as the next manager of England later on Thursday, BBC Sport understands.

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the 61-year-old Italian has been offered a four-year deal worth £4m a year.

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

Capello, who has also coached Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid, succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked in November.

According to the BBC, Capello's contract will have a clause in it allowing both parties to review their options after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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.

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 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.

 

Still unsure what to make of it

He's obviously a very good coach, but will he be too defensive?</p>

I hope he doesn't let these big name/ego players get away with the performances they've offered lately, and will drop them or give them a bollocking</p>

 

have we got the players for Catenaccio???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenaccio

 

No we don't have enought quality injury free defenders to play Catenaccio

 

England appoint non English speaking Nazi codger manager

terrible appointment imho.

 

English FA have a thing about long term contracts!
So if Capello fails to get us to WC 2008 another big contract Pay-off

 

He can't sing

Which is poor for a Capello............. (tumbleweed)

 

Oh dear