When it was announced on 17th December 2007 that Italian Fabio Capello was to be the new England manager, many supporters hailed a new era which would see an end to the end of England’s underachievement. Many of them never realised that the new man in charge could barely speak a word of English.
Capello sat at the podium alongside FA chief Brian Barwick and made a bold claim to the waiting press - “I will learn English in a month”. Many scoffed at the claims, others thought that Barwick had appointed a lunatic, but Capello was unfazed.
“I am convinced that in one month when I meet up with the squad for the first time, I will be able to speak English,” Capello explained.
“I believe it is very important to communicate with players and I will undergo a strict routine to learn the language - I will apply myself every day.”
Help and support for Capello flooded in, not least from Rosetta Stone, who sent a copy of their market leading language learning software to the FA Headquarters at Soho Square. We here at Capello Learn English even got support from The Inquirer and Kerrang! Radio.
It all culminated in Capello’s first meeting with the players on Monday ahead of Fabio’s first game in charge against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium.
Rio Ferdinand commented that Capello’s commitment to learn English had obviously been a success, claiming “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.”
In the end, Capello guided England to a solid if unspectacular 2-1 victory over the Swiss. There was plenty to learn and plenty of positives. Capello’s appointment was not about one game and the solution will not be found with just three days of work. What Capello will be focused on now is improving his English, improving his confidence with the press and guiding England to the South Africa in 2010.
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