As Fabio Capello’s English language skills continue to improve, the Football Association has stepped up it’s campaign to teach English coaches the “language of football.”
Fabio Capello became England’s second foreign coach this year, following in the footsteps of Swede Sven-Göran Eriksson, who took charge between 2001 and 2006 but the FA is keen to recruit fresh, English talent to take over the running of the national side in future years.
The lack of coaching depth in the UK has led to calls for increased investment in sports coaching, esspecially following England’s recent failings on the football pitch and with the 2012 Olympics being held in the capital, with one sports think-tank claiming that Britain needs 13,600 “full-time equivalent” coaches across twelve major sports - including football.
The Football Association is keen to attract new coaches into football and has enlisted the help of Ipswich Town David Sheepshanks on their ‘Learning Group’.
Sheepshanks will work alongside Sir Trevor Brooking on the FA Learning board in a non-executive role, offering advice which should help to improve the education of the nations coaches.
Sheepshanks told the Ipswich Evening Star: “The whole area of coaching is one that is very close to my heart and something I am extremely enthusiastic about.
“I have been closely involved with the development of the Ipswich Town academy, so hopefully I can bring some first hand knowledge and passion to this role. Hopefully I can make a small contribution to the overall FA master plan.”
Capello has initially called upon compatriots Franco Baldini, Massimo Neri, Franco Tancred, Italo Galbiati to form his backroom staff but it is hoped that Capello will be able to draft in an English manager at some stage.
“Initially Fabio Capello wants his team of Italian coaches, but I think he will eventually involve the top young English coaches as time moves on” added Sheepshanks
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