Buena fortuna, Fabio
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England's new manager was never likely to be short of advice and, as someone with a flimsy grasp of English, he surely relished in the bizarre idea that he might somehow welcome Glenn Hoddle's recommendations for dealing with the media.
Even Nancy Dell'Olio is prepared to advise Fabio "if he ask me", although it is not clear if she has football in mind.
Fabio Capello is generally being welcomed as a brusque, forthright character who won't put up with any nonsense fromEngland's pampered underachievers...in other words the first disciplinarian to take charge since the only time we won anything. Yet even Sir Alf would struggle to achieve success in the modern game given the overwhelming power of the players and the press.
Ramsey was not a man to be crossed and had very few problems with his players. In the run-in to 1966 he was even prepared to drop his talisman, Bobby Moore. Always an anachronism, it is hard to imagine what Sir Alf would make of Baby Bentleys, WAGs and roastings. It is equally hard to fathom how the golden generation might feel about
£2 per day expenses and Ramsey's fondness for Westerns as squad recreation.
The modern footballer is happy enough to trot out well-rehearsed platitudes about pulling on the national shirt but the truth is that freedom of contract, agents and the avalanche of TV money have irretrievably changed the dynamic between player and manager. The affirmations of passion may appear heartfelt but the body language doesn't lie. Players no longer give a stuff for authority in any form.
It is impossible to imagine an England manager ever showing Ramsey's open contempt for the press, however refreshing that would be. When he chose Martin Peters for the final friendly before the 1966 World Cup, Ramsey was asked if he could say what Peters' role would be. His answer was a stony-faced "no". Contrast Ramsey's steadfast refusal of the FA's offer to appoint a PR man to Steve McLaren hiring Max Clifford before he had even named a squad.
What Ramsey understood is that being England manager is not a popularity contest. Ridiculed when he declared that Englandwould win the World Cup, he rammed his critics' words back down their throats and they never forgave him. At least this time the little Englanders are keeping quiet, partly because an English candidate has just failed so conspicuously and partly because his reviled predecessor is currently demonstrating his prowess in the Premier League.
There is of course a third obstacle to success. The remarkably swift appointment of Capello could be a case of the FA acting decisively or, more likely, a case of wishing to be seen to act decisively. When Brian Barwick listed the qualities the new manager should possess it was a telling indictment on his part in appointing someone without these qualities while contriving to make it obvious that he was no one's first choice. As Sir Alf said on his departure, "The amateurs are back in charge."
Or as Nancy observed last week, "It should be the FA who should be resigned."
Good luck, Fabio.
Fabio Capello is generally being welcomed as a brusque, forthright character who won't put up with any nonsense fromEngland's pampered underachievers...in other words the first disciplinarian to take charge since the only time we won anything. Yet even Sir Alf would struggle to achieve success in the modern game given the overwhelming power of the players and the press.
Ramsey was not a man to be crossed and had very few problems with his players. In the run-in to 1966 he was even prepared to drop his talisman, Bobby Moore. Always an anachronism, it is hard to imagine what Sir Alf would make of Baby Bentleys, WAGs and roastings. It is equally hard to fathom how the golden generation might feel about
£2 per day expenses and Ramsey's fondness for Westerns as squad recreation.
The modern footballer is happy enough to trot out well-rehearsed platitudes about pulling on the national shirt but the truth is that freedom of contract, agents and the avalanche of TV money have irretrievably changed the dynamic between player and manager. The affirmations of passion may appear heartfelt but the body language doesn't lie. Players no longer give a stuff for authority in any form.
It is impossible to imagine an England manager ever showing Ramsey's open contempt for the press, however refreshing that would be. When he chose Martin Peters for the final friendly before the 1966 World Cup, Ramsey was asked if he could say what Peters' role would be. His answer was a stony-faced "no". Contrast Ramsey's steadfast refusal of the FA's offer to appoint a PR man to Steve McLaren hiring Max Clifford before he had even named a squad.
What Ramsey understood is that being England manager is not a popularity contest. Ridiculed when he declared that Englandwould win the World Cup, he rammed his critics' words back down their throats and they never forgave him. At least this time the little Englanders are keeping quiet, partly because an English candidate has just failed so conspicuously and partly because his reviled predecessor is currently demonstrating his prowess in the Premier League.
There is of course a third obstacle to success. The remarkably swift appointment of Capello could be a case of the FA acting decisively or, more likely, a case of wishing to be seen to act decisively. When Brian Barwick listed the qualities the new manager should possess it was a telling indictment on his part in appointing someone without these qualities while contriving to make it obvious that he was no one's first choice. As Sir Alf said on his departure, "The amateurs are back in charge."
Or as Nancy observed last week, "It should be the FA who should be resigned."
Good luck, Fabio.
Here Is The Writer : John Kirk
John Kirk works at Precise Media where he monitors newswires and business internet sites. He previously worked in the wine trade and has lived in southwest London for 18 years. John grew up in Bristol and is in his fifth decade as a Bristol City fan. After a long and undistinguished career as a club cricketer he has recently taken up golf, reasoning that his lack of foot movement will be an asset. John is also interested in City churches and pubs.
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