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Manchester United Assistant Mike Phelan 'Pleased' With Rio Ferdinand's England Captaincy
Phelan praise for new national skipper...
09-Feb-2010 8:57:00 PM
By Alan Dawson
Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan is pleased Rio Ferdinand has become John Terry's successor as England captain, and feels the defender follows a great tradition of Old Trafford Three Lions skippers.
Following a brief meeting with Fabio Capello and Franco Baldini last weekend, Terry was stripped of the captaincy due to his alleged extra-marital affair that involved the lover of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Ferdinand was swiftly promoted from vice-captain to captain while Steven Gerrard was appointed as Rio's deputy.
"We are pleased of course to have a Manchester United captain of England," Phelan said ahead of his side's game with Aston Villa on Wednesday.
"There have been a few in the past [David Beckham, Bryan Robson and Sir Bobby Charlton] and Rio is just an extension to that so we’re pleased.
"He just needs to get fit now and get back into the team.
Following a brief meeting with Fabio Capello and Franco Baldini last weekend, Terry was stripped of the captaincy due to his alleged extra-marital affair that involved the lover of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Ferdinand was swiftly promoted from vice-captain to captain while Steven Gerrard was appointed as Rio's deputy.
"We are pleased of course to have a Manchester United captain of England," Phelan said ahead of his side's game with Aston Villa on Wednesday.
"There have been a few in the past [David Beckham, Bryan Robson and Sir Bobby Charlton] and Rio is just an extension to that so we’re pleased.
"He just needs to get fit now and get back into the team.
"I think he has the qualities," Ferguson's right-hand man added. "He’s been at the top level for many, many years, he’s got the experience, the quality’s there - we’ve never doubted the quality that Rio’s got - and now his leadership credentials come out into the open so we’re pleased for him but we need him to play for Manchester United first."
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