A new beginning for England?

Fabio Capello is confirmed as the new England manager. He will take charge of the England national team on a four-and-a-half year contract, the Football Association confirmed on Friday. The former AC Milan and Real Madrid CF coach replaces Steve McClaren, who was dismissed from the post last month following England's failure to qualify for next summer's UEFA EURO 2008 finals.There was no shortage of criticism directed at McClaren by English press. Today when EURO 2008 groups are formed, and the new English manager is appointed, I'd like to take a look at the most tightly contested EURO 2008 qualification group E. That's the only group E where four teams - Croatia, Russia, England and Israel are finished with more than 20 points. If Croatia convincingly won the group with 29 points then England and Russia where going neck to neck to the very end. Dramatic finale separated themby a point with Russia squeezing in to the second place with 24 points. England finished disappointing third on equal 23 points with Israel after, loosing the decisive last game to Croatia 2:3, where England could qualify with a draw.
First of all I'd like to praise Israel for showing true sporting spirit in a game that did not have a tournament value for them, playing with their heart and defeating Russia, a strong favorite for the game that could have secured them a place in Austria and Switzerland. But true heroics came from Croatian team at Wembley. Already securing one of the two qualifying berths before the game at Wembley they almost burried the England hopesgoing 2:0 after first 20 minutes in a crunch game for England. In a game where a draw would take England through and Croatia playing only for their pride. Although England equalized in the early second half it was still Croatia that had an upper hand of spectacular game.Not only the disappointing finish but the whole game draw harsh criticism from the press and cost McClaren his job. Not being McClaren fan I think few things I can say to McClaren defense. I'd like to remind also that in previous outings England wonfive games in a row, very convincingly - all of them 3:0! No team in Europe could match that record! He had the game in Moscow going his way too, but only until 72 minute. Did anyone in England ask himself why would be Wayne Rooney pulling Konstantin Ziryanov's shirt while Russian midfielder entering the box from the right side. Why no one said a word of condemnation to a player for bringing on a penalty, for this totally unjustified foul in penalty area. This is not the first time the English strikers actioncost his team dearly. Everybody remembers Rooney getting a red card at World Cup 2004, for stomping on Ronaldo and England crashing out in a quarterfinal. The player certainly having a discipline problem repeatedly turning his team down at a critical moment. Russia equalized and kept attacking. They pressed the advantage and in three minutes scored the winning goal that proved fatal for English campaign. The whole criticism fell to McClaren. Although I strongly believe Rooney was the guilty party whose fault turned the game around, ironically after scoring spectacular goal inthe first half. Again, I am not big fan of McClaren but I absolutely convinced that he hadall credentials to carry out as the England coach. He was assisting Sven Ericsson for 5 years, coming from the ranks in ManU and successfully coachingMiddlesboro. English football community, I strongly believe, grew very impatient and created unnecessary havoc by putting the English team, the coach and the goalkeeper - Paul Robinson, under unprecedented pressure, for conceding only one goal in 6 games (another one came from the penalty). As a result McClaren made virtually hisonly mistake throughout the campaign by picking inexperienced Scott Carson for a decisive game against Croatia, to replace in form Robinson, having at the same time David James, an experienced keeper, available. This cost him dearly. No one even Croats expected to perform so successfully at Wembley. Their coach, Slaven Bilic, admitting, he would play for a win, but will be happy with a draw. A lesson hard to forget.Another reason for "underdog" teams performing beyond the expectations is the rear ability of England team to bring out the best of their opponents by showing extraordinary arrogance and disrespect towards them, their press and supporters.Russian players after the game at Wembley approached the English to exchange shirts. England players gave out their shirts but refused to take those of their Russian counterparts.This sort of disrespect is unheard of at international level. One can only guess the embarrassment the Russian players went through. But let's not feel sorry for them - they could not get a better retribution than beating England in Moscow in front of their home crowd and to the delight of the whole country, eventually securing a place at Euro 2008 and surely won't regret keeping their shirts to themselves.
Steve McClaren refused to answer Russian journalists’ questions at the press conference in Moscow. He also did not permit to translate his post-game press conference in Russian. Insulted Russian journalists left the press conference. I would certainly called UEFA attention to that. As rightfully commented Guus Hiddink, the head coach of the Russian team: "Talking to the press is part of your job. Win or loose you come out tothe public and speak to them." Apparently it did not help McClaren but left a bitter taste at least for Russian public. Not for long though. Croat Mladen Petrić, the scorer of the winning goal at Wembley was quoted by UEFA.com saying "We did not want to exchange our shirts with English players. They got what they deserved for their arrogance. None of their shirts is worth mine."
Indeed, England did not draw too much sympathy from their opponents, which is not surprising. However, England remains an important team in a world football. Alongside teams like Italy, Germany, France, Holland, Argentina, Brazil and others England remains integral part of footballing "Dow Jones". That's why as a true football fan I want to see England back on their feet and Fabio Capello is the right coach to bring England to the world elite. It is more than 40 years since Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, BobbyCharlton and Geoff Hearst lifted the World Cup trophy in 1966. England did not appear in a major final for more than 40 years despite many European trophies on a club level and the all talent in English league. Even today the likes of Gerard, Owen. Terry, Joe Cole the core of the English team remain formidable force that can be a major factor for future success. Getting right man for the top English job could be one of the major elements English football needs to achieve success.

I met Fabio Capello in summer 2000 when he was in NY with Roma for preseason friendly with Benfica. All media attention was directed at first Japanese player in Seria A Hidetoshi Nakata who was with Roma at a time. A lot of attention went to Cafu the Brazilian national team captain. Capello was mainly busy with the press conference. Later I approached signor Capello in a hope to ask a question or two and to my surprise we spoke for about 40-45 minutes instead. I met if not modest then at least very humble, down to earth man, who was very articulate, weighing his words carefully, trying to be accurate in his answers, showing respect and patience with me, forwhom it was the first interview, first game coverage in my journalist career. He did not know yet that he will win scudetto that year with Roma and years later will do it again with Yuventus twice, and then win the second time La Liga with Real Madrid at his only second one year spell with the team.
You can't get a better coach, who has so many great victories under his belt, who's decisive and humble at the same time. He takes responsibility and is capable of admitting his mistakes. I think he has this sense of justice in him. I never heard him falling of with a player. We all saw how calmly and fairly he handled the situation with David Beckham at Real after the latter signed a lucrative contact with LA Galaxy. First dropping him from the team than bringing him back after noticing how hard David was continuing totrain. And that eventually turned beneficial for both. Real won the Spanish title and Beckham returned to the national team. He knows how to deal with a star players, how to deal with a press.
Saying all this, I think, English football community should learn to be more patient, considerate and supportive if they want to see their national team to be successful. The football never ends and I wish success to England and Mr. Capello in upcoming 2010 world cup qualifying campaign.

P.S. Fabio Capello got his England reign off to a winning start against Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland at Wembley.

Zaven Aharonian