Fabio Capello is relishing the challenge of coaching England to world cup glory after 44 years
Fabio Capello is relishing the challenge of coaching England to world cup glory after 44 years
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The Italian is in the Austrian Alps with the 30 he chose for his provisional World Cup squad, preparing England for friendlies against Mexico and Japan before cutting seven players and travelling to South Africa.
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| Finger pointing: Fabio Capello in discussion with Wayne Rooney at England's training camp yesterday. Pic/AFP |
As the World Cup nears Capello understands the pressure he and his team are under to represent England and hopes to make the millions that will be cheering them proud.
"For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to manage the England team," Capello told The Mirror. "It came true for me more than two years ago and right from that moment all my focus has been on the World Cup. As a club manager, I took my teams into important finals, important tournaments.
"But even with the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid, we were representing just one city. With a country it is different: you carry the expectations of an entire nation with you. It is a big responsibility but it is an even bigger honour."
England have played in 12 World Cup finals and while they won the tournament on home soil in 1966, the team has generally underachieved on the world's biggest stage. The Italian is keen to change that and hopes that England's performance in South Africa will eliminate the memories of past disappointments at the World Cup.
Capello, however, is convinced things can be different this time, allowing him to wipe away the memories of his own previous taste of what the World Cup means.
"I am looking forward to WC, when we will have the chance to have the team together for a long period, like a club environment. It will be a big challenge but one I will relish, having waited such a long time to have this opportunity."
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