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Goal.com Q&A: How Will Fabio Capello Handle The John Terry Scandal?
Shrewd Italian to take swift action if he feels affair has hit England's morale.
Feb 2, 2010 4:20:00 AM
By Amar Singh | England Correspondent
In the wake of the John Terry sex scandal, Fabio Capello is facing his toughest decision since being appointed England manager in December 2007.
Does he retain John Terry as captain, triggering a media backlash and a potentially divided dressing room? Or does he hand the armband to another player just months before a World Cup?
Capello is unlikely to give any hint of his intentions before Sunday's Euro 2012 qualifying draw, which will be the first time he will face the media since the revelations emerged. So to get a better understanding of what the 63-year-old boss may do next, we spoke to Goal.com's Italian football expert, Carlo Garganese.
With a CV boasting managerial roles at Real Madrid, AC Milan, Roma and Juventus, Fabio Capello has had to deal with scores of high profile players over the years - how has he responded to players' off-the-pitch indiscretions in the past?
Generally, Capello tends to assess how these off-the-pitch indiscretions affect the 'group'. If a player damages the 'group', either in terms of morale or team-balance, he won't accept their presence.
Dejan Savicevic was a world class player with whom Capello always had problems because the manager felt he damaged Milan's spirit. Savicevic only stayed because of Silvio Berlusconi's power, but even then Capello used him sparingly. Another example is Roberto Baggio, who Capello barely used at Milan for similar reasons.
If a player threatens his authority as coach, he will take a very dim view. An example is how he treated Antonio Cassano and Ronaldo at Real Madrid when both made fun of him rather publicly. Both were swiftly sold because where the manager's authority is threatened, there can be no 'group'.
Will Capello address the issue to the whole team, or will he sort this out behind closed doors?
I expect it to be mostly done behind closed doors, but then again this is such a unique case that it's difficult to say. Capello will need to find out how the other players in the team feel about Terry's presence. Capello is a smart guy and will want to keep Terry at all costs.
It is difficult to see England winning the World Cup if Terry doesn't play, but at the same time if players can't bare to be around Terry the 'group' will be destroyed.
Capello is known for being 'his own man' - do you expect him to pay much attention to the public outcry over the sex scandal?
Capello will not care less about the public outcry. Team Terry, Team Bridge, Team Peter Andre - he despises media campaigns. The truth is, that what the public and press say and write has no impact whatsoever on his decisions.
There was a big outcry when Juventus' talisman Alessandro Del Piero was substitute during Capello's reign, but the stubborn manager did not flinch an inch. He won't even feel the need to give an explanation over whatever he decides.
My favourite Capello quote was when the press were giving him a hard time, and Capello responded: "Why should I listen to any of you, I'm more intelligent than all of you."
How will Capello, a Roman Catholic who has spoken before on his pro-life views react to allegations that Terry paid for his secret lover to have an abortion?
Good question. Secretly Capello will resent Terry for what he has done. But, then again, Capello resents most footballers and the way they live.
Capello likes to see himself as an intellect; he visits art galleries, listens to classical music and goes to the theatre and opera. He is a bit of a snob and probably regards many footballers as common muck with no faith or morals.
But, Capello is an ultra professional. If he was to base his decisions on what he believes in, he wouldn't be able to find 11 England players. I'm sure he knows all about Terry's past indiscretions.
If he takes the armband from John Terry, or the player gives up the captaincy, there is much speculation over who he will appoint as the next skipper. What can we learn from his previous captains?
In almost all of his previous jobs he has had no decision to make with his club captain because a veteran figure such as Franco Baresi, Raul or Alessandro Del Piero was unmovable from the position.
Having said this, it is questionable just how important Capello views the role of captain. Capello likes leaders in the team, and so the captain will have to be a leader that everyone respects but not someone who is more important than anyone else because "no individual is more important than the group".
Do you think Capello could give the job to Wayne Rooney?
Capello absolutely loves Rooney, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were made captain should Terry lose it. The reason for this is because the captain will have to be a regular. The only other two realistic options are Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, both of whom have struggled with form and fitness this season.
It is highly unlikely. Beckham is not enough of a regular starter, and Capello will not like all the distracting extras that will come with Beckham being captain of England.
How will Capello lift the squad after this setback?
It is going to be very tricky. But Capello is a master at building the 'group', so if he is unable to do so then no one is.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
In the wake of the John Terry sex scandal, Fabio Capello is facing his toughest decision since being appointed England manager in December 2007.
Does he retain John Terry as captain, triggering a media backlash and a potentially divided dressing room? Or does he hand the armband to another player just months before a World Cup?
Capello is unlikely to give any hint of his intentions before Sunday's Euro 2012 qualifying draw, which will be the first time he will face the media since the revelations emerged. So to get a better understanding of what the 63-year-old boss may do next, we spoke to Goal.com's Italian football expert, Carlo Garganese.
With a CV boasting managerial roles at Real Madrid, AC Milan, Roma and Juventus, Fabio Capello has had to deal with scores of high profile players over the years - how has he responded to players' off-the-pitch indiscretions in the past?
Generally, Capello tends to assess how these off-the-pitch indiscretions affect the 'group'. If a player damages the 'group', either in terms of morale or team-balance, he won't accept their presence.
Dejan Savicevic was a world class player with whom Capello always had problems because the manager felt he damaged Milan's spirit. Savicevic only stayed because of Silvio Berlusconi's power, but even then Capello used him sparingly. Another example is Roberto Baggio, who Capello barely used at Milan for similar reasons.
If a player threatens his authority as coach, he will take a very dim view. An example is how he treated Antonio Cassano and Ronaldo at Real Madrid when both made fun of him rather publicly. Both were swiftly sold because where the manager's authority is threatened, there can be no 'group'.
Will Capello address the issue to the whole team, or will he sort this out behind closed doors?
I expect it to be mostly done behind closed doors, but then again this is such a unique case that it's difficult to say. Capello will need to find out how the other players in the team feel about Terry's presence. Capello is a smart guy and will want to keep Terry at all costs.
It is difficult to see England winning the World Cup if Terry doesn't play, but at the same time if players can't bare to be around Terry the 'group' will be destroyed.
Capello is known for being 'his own man' - do you expect him to pay much attention to the public outcry over the sex scandal?
Capello will not care less about the public outcry. Team Terry, Team Bridge, Team Peter Andre - he despises media campaigns. The truth is, that what the public and press say and write has no impact whatsoever on his decisions.
There was a big outcry when Juventus' talisman Alessandro Del Piero was substitute during Capello's reign, but the stubborn manager did not flinch an inch. He won't even feel the need to give an explanation over whatever he decides.
My favourite Capello quote was when the press were giving him a hard time, and Capello responded: "Why should I listen to any of you, I'm more intelligent than all of you."
How will Capello, a Roman Catholic who has spoken before on his pro-life views react to allegations that Terry paid for his secret lover to have an abortion?
Good question. Secretly Capello will resent Terry for what he has done. But, then again, Capello resents most footballers and the way they live.
Capello likes to see himself as an intellect; he visits art galleries, listens to classical music and goes to the theatre and opera. He is a bit of a snob and probably regards many footballers as common muck with no faith or morals.
But, Capello is an ultra professional. If he was to base his decisions on what he believes in, he wouldn't be able to find 11 England players. I'm sure he knows all about Terry's past indiscretions.
Not on, Ron | The Brazilian fell out with Capello
If he takes the armband from John Terry, or the player gives up the captaincy, there is much speculation over who he will appoint as the next skipper. What can we learn from his previous captains?
In almost all of his previous jobs he has had no decision to make with his club captain because a veteran figure such as Franco Baresi, Raul or Alessandro Del Piero was unmovable from the position.
Having said this, it is questionable just how important Capello views the role of captain. Capello likes leaders in the team, and so the captain will have to be a leader that everyone respects but not someone who is more important than anyone else because "no individual is more important than the group".
Do you think Capello could give the job to Wayne Rooney?
Capello absolutely loves Rooney, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were made captain should Terry lose it. The reason for this is because the captain will have to be a regular. The only other two realistic options are Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, both of whom have struggled with form and fitness this season.
It is highly unlikely. Beckham is not enough of a regular starter, and Capello will not like all the distracting extras that will come with Beckham being captain of England.
How will Capello lift the squad after this setback?
It is going to be very tricky. But Capello is a master at building the 'group', so if he is unable to do so then no one is.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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