Whilst Fabio Capello was busy learning English before moving in to his new office at the FA, deep down he probably knew what the rest of us were thinking - he couldn’t have done any worse than the person he is replacing.
But whilst football fans across the country held that view, it turns out that Steve McLaren, Capello’s predecessor to the England job, thought exactly the same!
The former Middlesbrough manager, who failed to guide England to this summer’s Euro 2008, has claimed that “the only way is up” for England and that Fabio Capello cannot fail to improve the fortunes of the England side and the so-called “Golden Generation”.
McLaren told The Sun: “I think Capello is coming into a fantastic situation where the game in England is at its lowest.
“England hasn’t qualified for the Euros and there are no expectations. So the only way for the team and for the players can be up.
“We’ve got the players to do that and Capello has the CV and the experience. So it’s a great time for him to come in.”
But McClaren warns England will only improve when there are more English players at the top clubs.
He said: “The only thing that compares to internationals is the Champions League and not enough of our players are experiencing that.”
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