So may it be written in history, the best decision that Fabio Capello made as England manager, was his last. The Italian had stagnated English football, it stood in the background waving frantically for some attention, while the farcical backlash over the captaincy took priority.
Mishandled. Mismanaged. Mistaken. The FA stood firm with their stance on the issue, but are not exempt from criticism. To undermine a manager, whose job security is based on his decisions and choices, is controversial at best, catastrophic at worst. Capello in truth should have gone after the South African holiday from hell. Rustenberg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, would bare witness to the over hyped and underperformed founders of football. He clung onto his job and took the moral high ground by announcing he would be leaving the post after the 2012 European Championships. Or so we thought.
With seven Serie A titles, two La Liga titles and a Champions League medal locked away for safe keeping, his managerial credentials are of the highest order. His appointment was taken with a cautious optimism. During his three and a-half year reign, his win percentage was the highest of any post World War 2 England manager.
But he joins the ranks of monsieur’s Erikson and McClaren and the 11 other unsuccessful England managers since the triumph of 66”. He was however, alone in his wage bracket. This £6m a year Italian investment came to an abrupt end. He may boast an impressive resume, win percentage and pair of “Versace” glasses but he will be remembered by fans as the inadequate, ignorant, illiterate.
His media mishaps could not have been helped by his lack of English vocabulary. Quoted as saying he only needs 100 words in English, players, press and fans struggled to take to the man at the helm of English football. His proposed, “Capello Index” was neither wise nor approved by the FA.
His second fundamental downfall came in the form of his disciplinarian approach. In an age where player’s egos are as big as their wage packets, his “old school” methods were initially greeted by fans as a refreshing change. Upon reflection, he failed to inspire his talented array of players, who had flourished under their club managers. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
The stubborn school bully was quickly running out of friends in the Wembley playground. Meanwhile, in the midst of a North London success story, another man was gaining both momentum and admiration.
Harry Redknapp would love to shape England’s destiny from the dugout. A patriot who boasts playing alongside Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst at West Ham United, he will find it more than difficult to ignore the FA should they come calling. He walked into Southwark Crown Court with charges of tax evasion hanging over him. He walked out, with a not guilty verdict and on the brink of becoming England’s next man at the top.
Tottenham will duly fight off any advances for the man who has transformed their fortunes since his arrival just three years ago. Under Juande Ramos Spurs secured just two points from their first eight games. In the space of two full seasons, Redknapp is now taking his side to the summit of the Premier League and were credible title challengers up until the turn of the year.
The biggest appeal to the FA in Harry’s “anticipated” appointment is his uncanny ability to remove the biggest blockade to hamper this country’s development in the past two decades. Fear.
The hard faced East Londoner, has a “cheeky chappy” persona which players and fans instantly warm to. Footballers playing under any of Redknapp’s sides would comment on the freedom and fun that he installs into their games, allowing them to express themselves and showcase their talent with the shackles well and truly off. Tottenham’s free flowing football has boasted some of the best the Premier League has seen to date. Emulating this with no transfer window, no day to day dealings, and “the old gentleman’s club” in the FA watching over his every move, is in no way a full gone conclusion.
But what an exciting prospect we can ponder over.
Dale Moon
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