Fabio Capello quits: What they said

 

Pa
Thursday 09 February 2012 10:44 GMT
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Reaction to Fabio Capello's decision to resign as England manager.

"The board made a very quick and unanimous decision regarding the captaincy. I informed Fabio on Thursday evening as soon as the decision had been made. Fabio wasn't happy but he accepted the board's authority in the matter. On Sunday Fabio conducted an interview with an Italian broadcaster. That caused conjecture and huge public debate and frankly it was an unsatisfactory situation" - Football Association chairman David Bernstein.

"There's a preference for an English person or a British person but in the end we want the best person. So I'm not prepared to rule out anything at this stage" - Bernstein on the nationality of Fabio Capello's successor.

"It was certainly expensive, but nobody could argue that it was a mistake. He has been a great manager"- Bernstein when asked if Capello was an expensive mistake.

"I've not even thought about it. I've got a job to do. I've got a big game on Saturday for Tottenham. Tottenham is my focus. They (the Football Association) will make whatever decision they want to make. Hopefully it'll be the right decision for the country but my focus is all on Tottenham" - Harry Redknapp on the clamour for him to succeed Capello.

"I think we need an English manager now, we don't need anything else lost in translation....Harry Redknapp would be my choice by a distance" - Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand makes a thinly-veiled dig at Capello on Twitter.

"Gutted capello has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be english to replace him. Harry redknapp for me." - England striker Wayne Rooney.

"Wayne should keep his nose out of it. He didn't do enough on the pitch when Capello was manager. Wayne should concentrate on being a player and not on who he wants as England manager" - Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane dismisses Rooney's input.

"I am sorry to see Fabio go. I think he was a good coach and a good man. I don't think he was right about the John Terry issue. You can't be captain with that question mark that needs to be answered" - Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Firstly as an Englishman, I am proud to be in that sort of frame, but it's not for me and I will make that quite clear. I am not even in the running as far as I am concerned" - Newcastle boss Alan Pardew rules himself out of England contention.

"It is a real shame, I did feel Fabio Capello was creating something special going into the Euros. We are all aware of what happened in the World Cup and everyone tries to highlight that, but the reality is the England team has shown an incredible progression since Fabio Capello arrived" - Wigan manager Roberto Martinez.

"I just think that taking the England job is far better when you're coming towards the end of your career than when you're a young man. I think Harry is in many respects made for the job" - Former England boss Graham Taylor.

"I have great respect and admiration for Capello, a coach that has achieved important things. It's a grave loss for England" - Juventus coach Antonio Conte.

"Harry Redknapp ticks every box, and he also has fantastic football knowledge. When you put that all together, there is no doubt he is a complete package" - Bolton manager Owen Coyle.

More on England...

From dentist's chairs to fake sheikhs: England's pre-tournament crises

Fabio Capello: The highs and lows in charge of England

Who's next? The contenders to replace Fabio Capello

PA

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