Fabio Capello got his first taste of English football this weekend, with the England manager spotted at Villa Park and Kenilworth Road.
The England manager gets the keys to his new office today, the same day as his self imposed deadline to master the English language.
And Capello wasted no time in assessing the players that could make up his new squad after taking in Manchester United’s FA Cup third round victory over Manchester United on Saturday.
The new England manager will have been delighted to have seen how Wayne Rooney came off the bench to add some spark in a turgid affair, grabbing an 88th minute strike in the process.
Michael Carrick also performed well in front of the on looking Capello whilst a host of other players on both sides had their chance to shine.
Gabriel Agbonlahor, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Curtis Davies and Scott Carson all started for Villa whilst, along with Carrick and Rooney, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves all featured for United.
After the game, Capello told the FA website:
“It was also good to be at a game where a lot of the players were English,” Capello said.
“And of course to see a player like Wayne Rooney come on as a substitute in such good form and have a major impact on the game was good for me on my first day.”
Capello was also pleased at the warm reception that he received on his arrival in England.
“It was very good to start work today. I am delighted with the reception I got from everyone I met at the stadium,” he added.
“The fans were fantastic to me and Aston Villa Football Club could not have been more helpful.
“I am now looking forward to seeing a lot of games very quickly over the next few weeks.”
Capello also took in Liverpool’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Luton Town, where he saw Peter Crouch score a 74th minute equaliser as well as international exile Jamie Carragher, who Capello may try to tempt out of international retirement.
Capello’s next appearance at an English ground could be on Tuesday night, as Chelsea face Everton in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.
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