Capello Learn English

Fabio Capello vowed to learn English before his first meeting with the England team and he has managed to do just that after taking his first training session - in English.

The new England manager led two training sessions yesterday, one at Arsenal’s Colney facility in the morning and an evening session at Wembley Stadium and whilst a translator was on stand-by, reports are that Capello managed to put his players through their paces entirely in English.

And whilst Capello guided his charges through the finer points of Wednesday night’s game with Switzerland at Wembley, he was also keen to lay down the law under a harsh new regime for the under-performing superstars, with mobile phones, nicknames and even flip-flops all on the banned list.

Under Capello’s leadership, there will be no “Smudger”, “JT”, “SWP” or “Steve-G”. From now on, it’s surnames and nothing more.

Flip-flops are banned, mobile phones and the Playstation are a complete no-no, the entourage of hotel visitors including player agents, family members, charity promoters, autobiography ghostwriters, room service and even hairdressers are a thing of the past and of course, absolutely no WAGS.

Rio Ferdinand, who could be named as captain in the absence on John Terry, likened Capello’s first training session to a “first day at a new school”.

The Manchester United defender said: “Everyone is intrigued, excited to see what the new ideas are going to be, if they’re any different to what we’ve been taught before.

“There’s been some change in terms of sitting together, eating and leaving at the same time. Bonding, he thinks plays a big part in a successful team.”

Commenting on Capello’s English, Ferdinand said “He got his points across well.”

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised. He’s talked to us as a team on and off the training ground in English and was very good.

“I’ve called him boss a couple of times. He’s not come in and been the big hoo-ha or anything. He wants everyone to be in the same mind as himself.

“He’s very observant and puts his point across when he needs to. He knows what he wants.

“Everybody’s intrigued and excited to see what new ideas there are going to be and if they are any different from what we have been taught in the past. We enjoyed it.”

Capello will host a press conference today and, because of his apprehension with all things to do with the press, he is expected to speak through an interpreter. However, the campaign to help Fabio Capello learn English appears to have been a success and we can all lend our support to Capello and the boys on Wednesday night as they look for victory against the Swiss!