Martin Swain looks at the winning aura of Fabio Capello compared to wally with the brolly Steve McClaren.
Ten months ago, England fans did not know which was more cringeworthy - their team’s abject performance in losing 3-2 at Wembley to Croatia or Steve McClaren’s now infamous “wally with the brolly” posturing on the touchline.
But you get what you pay for and last night the FA collected their first dividend on the £6m a year “signing” of McClaren’s successor, Italian master-coach Fabio Capello.
Stick a fez on his head and get him to tell ridiculously-funny jokes and he could be Tommy Cooper.
But while he may have put a smile back on the face of English football, there is nothing of the clown in the 62-year-old from the tiny Italian village of Pieris.
The man with more titles than Prince Charles is a direct descendant of the royal line of coaches who have dominated the game’s great stages and last night gave us the perfect cocktail of passion and relaxed composure in out-witting Slaven Bilic from the officers quarters just behind the trenches.
Even Harry Redknapp was impressed by a display which he claims can revive the belief in this fabled “golden generation” of Premier League stars who have yet to deliver.
But these opening two games have been all about the control Capello, a legendary disciplinarian, has exerted over a previously feckless England team too consumed by personal agendas to deliver a collective achievement.
When he very publicly tore a strip off Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole over their meanderings in the previous game against Andorra, Capello was venturing into territory the lightweight McClaren could not dream about.
While McClaren seeks redemption with Dutch mid-rangers Twente Enschede - where the critics are already lining up for a ‘pop’ after three unimpressive performances - England’s fans will be going a little Capello crazy.
We’ve been there before of course, with Sven but there is something in the aura of Capello which suggests this time its for real.
By Martin Swain
7 Comments
‘We’ve been there before of course, with Sven but there is something in the aura of Capello which suggests this time its for real.’
So how do you work that out after one good performance??
Dont get me wrong, im pleased about last nights result, so now we begin to start to over-rate, expect more and gloat after this one good show.
For £6m a year, and even more on the pitch, id expect to see the Harlem Globetrotters!
Well done England, job done, not the hardest, but done well never the less, but lets keep our feet on the ground guys.
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The “Wally with the Brolly” - Classic LOL McLaren now speaks double dutch apparently - a true Wally in every sense of the word!
Well done England!
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yes well done,but-swallows and summer come to mind
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Obviously coming from Sandwell you know nothing about football
Well done England, job done, not the hardest, but done well never the less, but lets keep our feet on the ground guys.
Croatia are 5th in the world and very recently made England look 5th rate so lets appreciate the achievement a bit more..its probably the only win for a side you are supporting this season so enjoy it !!!
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1….I agree, one swallow doesnt make a summer but to say “Not the hardest” is pretty unfair to Croatia and England. They are ranked 4th best team in the world and haven’t lost a match at home for 4 years! Onwards and upwards (hopefully) still think the keeper looks dodgy…..and no…Carson isn’t the answer!
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Best result for England since the 5-1 beating of Germany in 2001. Well done to the team, they finally showed what they can do, and well done to Fabio. If we did win the 2010 World Cup (I’m not saying we will!) would it be Sir Fabio (as a foreigner he can be given an honorary knighthood)? Come on England…and the Super Saddlers.
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How quickly your faith changes-A week ago what was said in our press re the England side–How many changes since Sven, not many but this Italian who can communicate in many languages and was a International player of note appears to have won us over for now–We have to keep the faith insult to our past masters only demise’s the credibility of you article–One game lets hope he continues that way–Keep the Dream going- Crazey Dave
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