FABIO Capello has vowed to take England to the next World Cup in South Africa. The Italian inherited a squad which did not reach Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren, whose disastrous reign ended in defeat in the Wembley rain against Croatia last November.
Given England only needed a draw to qualify and Croatia were already through, there appears little reason for confidence in a group which again pits England against Slaven Bilic's team.
Not only that, the general standard of play at Euro 2008 was
viewed by many as beyond England's beleaguered players.
Capello watched events unfold in Austria and Switzerland at first hand, seeing Croatia in action on three separate occasions before returning home to keep up with the rest on TV.
Yet his faith in his players remains undiminished, and he is adamant they will reach South Africa in two years' time.
"We are a very good team," he said.
"We will qualify for the World Cup. We will be in South Africa. I am sure of it."
Indeed, it seems Capello was not left as starry-eyed by Euro 2008 as some of the pundits. The former Real Madrid coach singled out eventual winners Spain for special praise. But of Holland, Russia and the obdurate Germans he said not a word.
Capello was speaking at the National Football Festival at Wembley which was organised by McDonalds. Over 800 children took part in the event, the pinnacle of 50 free football festivals around the country.
The full article contains 252 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
