Fabio Capello: Chelsea Defender John Terry Will Never Captain England After To Set An Example

Sacked as skipper for having an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-lover of Terry's former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, Capello doubts the speculation that the England players will have lost respect for their erstwhile captain. Instead, the Italian iterated the player's leadership credentials.

"Until the World Cup, John Terry will not be the captain again," Capello said to the Guardian. "After the World Cup? If I remain as England manager? I think not," he clarified.

"I asked for the captain to set an example for the young people; for the children and the fans. What he did was not good. I told him this and he understood.

"But I took the decision only because of what happened with Wayne Bridge, nothing else. I didn't ever consider taking John Terry out of the squad, just as I didn't decide to take Wayne Bridge out.

"And I don't believe the other players will have lost respect for him because they know his leadership qualities."

The English fascination with the armband baffles Capello, who has promoted Rio Ferdinand to the captain's role, while Steven Gerrard will lead the team out against Egypt next week due to the former's injury jeopardising his involvement.

"In Spain or Italy, the captain is the oldest player or the one with the most caps. Here it is different," noted Capello. "You look at the captain in a different way.

"To me, being a leader is more important than being the captain. John Terry is a leader. I have asked him to be the same. He will be the same. He will be a leader without wearing the armband."