True to his word, Fabio Capello held his press conference yesterday through an interpreter, displaying a healthy distrust of the British football media.
As one of the most scrutinised jobs in the world, Fabio Capello is well aware of what part the English tabloid press can play in the career of an England manager. From the “Fake Sheikh”, to “Turnip” Graham Taylor and “Wally with the Brolly” Steve McLaren, the tabloids can literally make or break your career as the national team boss.
Capello, clearly realising this, chose to conduct Tuesday’s press gathering in Italian despite learning English in just over a month, but brushed it off with the sort of good humour that will definitely endear him to England fans.
One reporter asked Fabio a question in Italian, inviting him to respond in English but Capello resisted the temptation.
“I will speak English with you when I can be sure that I know all the right words, because you are very good at twisting things and I am very careful” responded the Italian.
“I can communicate with the players much more easily - I am happy with my English with them.”
Capello also confirmed that he had laid down some ground rules to his new charges, but suggested that they were not unnecessarily as strict as first reported.He said: “We need to create a way of working, and that’s why I felt the need to set some rules.
“For example, we will all eat together, leave the table together - it is all about respecting each other. And being punctual is key.
“We all have a role to play - they are the players and I am the manager.”
Capello also confirmed that Steven Gerrard will captain the side for tomorrow’s friendly, although a permanent captain will not be named until the World Cup qualifier with Andorra in seven-months time.
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