England football team manager Fabio Capello is under pressure to prove that he is the right man for the job, in the wake of speculation surrounding his suitability to manage the squad following since England’s dismal World Cup showing in South Africa this summer.
Following England’s exit from the World Cup, we asked our respondents about the nationality of the next England manager. 61% of adult England fans would ‘rather the next England manager was English’, compared to just 37% who don’t mind and just one percent who would rather the next manager was NOT English, adding pressure to an already under fire coach.
Capello himself admitted yesterday that his national status has dropped dramatically, saying that he had gone from ‘god’ to ‘monster’ after England lost 4-1 to Germany to send our boys home.
Despite this pressure, Capello appears unfazed, saying 'I remember what was written about me before this period. I live the same when you write well of me as I do when you write badly of me. This is my job and I have to live with the pressure’.
His comments, although apparently unworried, come on the back of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher’s statement that the next England manager should be English, because ‘that's what it's all about’.
‘I've always said the English squad should be just English,’ Carragher argued, adding ‘[and] I think the manager should be English [as well].’ He was careful not to directly criticise Capello, however, saying, ‘I've played for Fabio Capello, we have a good relationship, I have great respect for him and I'll always support him.’
Despite his good relationship with the Italian manager, though, Carragher continued, ‘I [still] think it's best for the national team if everybody is English. That includes managers, coaches, doctors and players,’ he said. ‘The point of international football is you have the best players, the best coach, the best kitman, the best physio from your country.’ It seems the football-following public agree.
