Fabio Capello's shock resignation as England coach triggered an outpouring of disbelief from a host of English football stars on Wednesday
Fabio Capello's shock resignation as England coach triggered an outpouring of disbelief from a host of English football stars on Wednesday.
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Capello quit following a meeting with Football Association chiefs at Wembley as a row between the Italian and his employers over their decision to strip John Terry of the national team captaincy finally boiled over.
Out of here: Former England football team manager Fabio Capello leaves his central London home after resigning from his post. Pic/AFP
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach was furious that the FA took the armband from Terry following allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match last October.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who was emerging as a key member of Capello's team before a pre-season injury ruined his campaign, admitted he was upset by the news.
The 20-year-old said on Twitter: "Shocked about news on Fabio Capello...gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello! GreatManager. "People have their own judgement on Capello but for a young player who was given the chance to play for my country at such a young age... "He has shown great belief and trust in me so I can only thank him....massive influence on my career so far! Sad to see him go!"
Like Wilshere, Tottenham defender Kyle Walker took to Twitter to express his disappointment at Capello's departure. He posted: "Gutted to see Fabio Capello go he put a lot of trust in me and gave me my first cap just want to say a big thanks really.." Rio Ferdinand, who was angered last year when Capello took the England captaincy from him to reappoint Terry, added on Twitter: "So Capello resigns....what now...."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the favourite to replace Capello and his cause was helped when he was cleared of tax fraud charges just hours before the Italian's departure.
Former England captain Gary Lineker believes Redknapp should get the job and could even manage both England and Tottenham in the short term. He tweeted: "As you ask I think new man should be English. Players have to be, so should boss. HR the man if he wants it. He can do both jobs til May."
England legend Paul Gascoigne also gave his backing to Redknapp, but claimed former England boss Terry Venables should be offered the job if the Football Association could not get the Spurs manager. "I think the obvious choice for everyone is Harry, but I don't think Tottenham are going to release Harry," Gascoigne told Sky Sports.
"He is a players' man. Everyone would want to play for him and he's proven that at the clubs he's been to. He's like Terry Venables and I would give him a shot again, truthfully. "If Harry didn't want it and Spurs weren't willing to let him go I would give that man Terry Venables a shot again, without a shadow of a doubt. "That man is just an unbelievable manager and Harry is a similar type of bloke. He's one of those managers I would have loved to have played for. And if he was given the job in my mind he would do a fantastic job."
Meanwhile, QPR midfielder Joey Barton claimed England are in turmoil following the loss of Terry as captain and Capello as coach within a few days. "Well, well, well, this debacle claims yet another victim. Where does this stop. Madness," he said on Twitter. "No captain and no manager. 4 months from a major championship. What's going on ufffd"
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