Fabio Capello's reign as England coach ended on a low note on Wednesday as the Italian quit following the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the national team captaincy. Here we look at the Italian's highs and lows in the so-called "impossible job".
Fabio Capello's reign as England coach ended on a low note on Wednesday as the Italian quit following the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the national team captaincy. Here we look at the Italian's highs and lows in the so-called "impossible job".
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SWISS ROLLED
Capello starts his England reign in winning style as Switzerland are beaten 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley in February 2008. Jermaine Jenas scored the first goal of the Capello era in the 40th minute and Shaun Wright-Phillips bagged the winner in the second half.
FRENCH FAILURE
France hand Capello his first defeat in his second match, a friendly in Paris in March 2008, as Franck Ribery scores the only goal in the Stade de France. Capello also gives David Beckham his 100th England cap.
WALCOTT ROUTS CROATIA
Theo Walcott hits a stunning hat-trick as England demolish Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb in a World Cup qualifier in September 2008. Wayne Rooney was also on the scoresheet as Capello's men avenged their Euro 2008 qualifying misery against the Croats.
TERRY SINK OLD RIVALS
John Terry nets the winner as Capello's side claimed an impressive 2-1 win over old rivals Germany in Berlin in November 2008. Terry's defensive partner Matthew Upson also scored in the friendly triumph.
SOUTH AFRICA HERE WE COME
Croatia are thrashed again, this time at Wembley in September 2009, as England book their place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This time Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard got two goals each and Wayne Rooney netted the other.
TERRY'S CAPTAINCY A BRIDGE TO FAR
Capello decides to strip John Terry of the England captaincy in February 2010 after newspaper allegations that the Chelsea defender had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of his international team-mate Wayne Bridge, who decides to retire from international football after the reports.
GREEN LEAVES CAPELLO BLUSHING RED
A horrendous mistake by England goalkeeper Robert Green ruins England's opening match at the World Cup in June 2010. Steven Gerrard puts Capello's team ahead early on but Green then allows Clint Dempsey's tame shot to trickle into the net.
GERMANS PILE ON MISERY
An already miserable World Cup campaign, which saw England win only one of their four matches, comes to a humiliating end as Germany cruise to a 4-1 win over Capello's side in the second round.
WORLD CHAMPS BEATEN
After an underwhelming, but ultimately successful, bid to qualify for Euro 2012, Capello desperately needed a positive result to lift the nation and England delivered as Frank Lampard's goal clinched a shock 1-0 friendly win over world and European champions Spain at Wembley in November 2011.
CAP DOESN'T FIT
Infuriated by the FA's decision to strip Terry of the captaincy after allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, Capello blasted his employers in an interview with Italian television and then resigns just days later.