‘England will win nothing with Capello’

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has insisted England will never win a major tournament while Fabio Capello is in charge of the national side.

Italian manager Capello has been under fire since England’s wretched campaign at this year’s World Cup in South Africa, where they exited the tournament at the last-16 stage.

“The problem is the manager,” said Mourinho.

“Capello will not work for England,” added Mourinho, who won two English Premier League titles while manager of Chelsea and last season guided Italian giants Inter Milan to a domestic and Champions League treble.

Portuguese boss Mourinho is now in charge of Real Madrid, where Capello was once the manager and according to Mourinho, Capello’s deficiencies are well remembered in the Spanish capital.

“He has a one-track relationship with players,” said Mourinho.

“Ask anyone here at Real Madrid. He can’t change. You cannot go around just shouting at players. They need to feel special.

“It is clear. Capello will not work for England. He does not know the players. They are frightened of him and they can’t play for him. “For me, it is a mess for England. Players need clear tactics.

“They cannot be confused about what they have to do,” added Mourinho, known to remain close to several of the Chelsea players in the England squad, including John Terry and Frank Lampard.

“It is the manager’s fault. And it is a big shame.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2010.