It's official - JT reappointed permanent captain. Whether you agree/disagree, could Capello have handled this any more badly though? - telling the press he is thinking about it rather than making a quick decision - sending Bilbo Baggins Baldini to talk to players rather than being man enough to talk to players - talking to media before talking to players - going back on his previous decision (he said never) Very weak manager and our players know it.
I don't really think there was much choice. Rio has got even more injury prone now and Barry looks like he's been dropped from the first XI. So there is only really Rooney or Terry. I don't think giving it to Rooney will help him at this time. We have too many players that act selfish. How can Rio be against this when he can't keep fit for games? How can Terry be so upset at seeing the armband passed about? It's pathetic.
Of course there was a choice. Changing Captaincy back to Terry permanently was not needed due to the current injury situation. Lampard could have Captained against Wales, no problem, and Rio or Gerrard taking on the band when they return. Reverting to Terry permanently just makes Capello look weak. Did he tell Rio that he was only Captain for a year? No. So now Rio is pissed off and effectively punished for being injured. Would Capello have made this same decision if Gerrard was available against Wales? I doubt it. If Terry is the England Captain, I will support him, but I disagree with the decision and the message it sends out.
Maybe Capello feels only Terry is definitely part of his first XI in the future. Rio is doubtful because of consistent injuries and Ferguson will always run him into the ground before an international game. Because he doesn't care if he picks up a knock because Utd have a break. I'm not saying other managers don't do the same but Rio's body will not take that anymore. I don't think it will anyway. I don't think either of Lampard or Gerrard should be considered definite starters. So they shouldn't be considered captain material. Terry is actually playing well from what I've seen. Hardly ideal but Capello can't do much else.
This. Ferdinand is rarely available for either his club or the national team. Capello did the right thing and personally I could'nt give a toss about him hurting the prima donna's "feelings".
This. Wilshere playing like he is and looking like the main English midfielder for many years to come means that neither Lampard or Gerrard will be starting every game. If i had my way they wouldn't start any. Therefore, Barry's right, Terry has to be captain. The only other option would have been A.Cole but he's just shot some kid
That shouldn't make me laugh but it does. In an ideal world this captain issue would be alot easier but it isn't.
Terry as Captain was the right thing to do. Capello had few options, and as has been said, Rio can't get fit for club or country for that matter. It's a big year of matches and we need a Captain that has experience, and is available for matches. The matches are too big to pin the hopes of Captaincy on the flavour of the month, whist others are injured.. We need consistency
Can understand it being taken away from Rio given his injury / appearance record. Just think any player at any level deserves to be told directly by the manager before the media. This is management 101 whether at England level or pub side - has nothing to do with prima donnas. Cowardly from Capello, make your decision, tell the players, tell the media. Simples. Personally would have given it to Gerra permanently and Terry for this game. Prefer a captain in the middle of the park. Also think Gerrard plays better for England with a little extra responsibility.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/235633/I-was-snubbed-by-Rio-Ferdinand-says-Fabio-Capello That was last Tuesday when Rio apparently snubbed Capello.
... After Capello had already spoken to the media and it was a done deal. Decision, players, media (= manager) Not Media, decision, players (= wet puppet)
This is from Capello on 15th March - Where are the quotes about it being a 'done deal' because I cannot find them. They might be there because I didn't follow this at the time but I can't find any at all. After these comments he planned to meet Rio that night at the Champions League match and he claims Rio didn't meet him. Rio has since kept quiet and not denied shunning Capello.
Being a United fan you can probably guess which side I'm leaning toward, though I can understand the decision given the whole Gary Neville captaincy situation; regardless, words can't describe how badly Capello has handled this entire situation. having done nothing wrong as captain, Rio Ferdinand has been shown a tremendous level of disrespect.
Apparently Terry described the situation of the armband being passed around to anyone but him during friendlies as taking the piss. Doesnt sound like he really gets it. Terry is, and always will be, a cvnt of the highest order. And he isn't even that good. Shouldn't be captain.
The whole thing just makes me laugh. Capello has become a bit of a joke figure as far as I'm concerned. The language barrier clearly doesn't help in interviews and press conferences, but disregarding any confusion with what he comes out with, he just doesn't seem like the single minded manager (do it his way) that I though we were getting, he's all over the place... ..this decision is a prime example. Firstly, Terry shouldn't have been sacked as captain. Secondly, having made that decision and giving the armband to Ferdinand, going back on that decision (regardless of injuries\form) and giving it back to Terry permanently has just made the whole reason for the sacking him in the first place pointless and most likely caused disharmony in the squad. Thirdly, even after messing all the players around, at least let all concerned aware of the situation before the media and get clear statements prepared to avoid a game of chinese whispers and feeding the media circus. Personally, I agree with the decision to take the captaincy from Rio, because his fitness\form is all over the place, but after the original decision to sack Terry was made, you're just opening yourself up for criticism if you bring him back permanently. Give it to one of the other Golden Failures (Gerrard\Lampard) and stop ********ing people about and giving mixed signals.
He clearly didn't talk to Ferdinand before that. When you give somebody something like the England Captaincy, then circumstances cause you to reconsider, you talk to that player before you even broach the subject in public. It's common sense. Say you were given certain responsibilities at work, but a change circumstances altered your suitability. How would you feel if your employers - out of the blue without ever speaking to you - told the whole company that somebody else was taking over some of your duties and it might be permanent? Ferdinand probably should have met him at the game, but Capello set this whole thing in motion with his handling of it. OTOH, Terry says that Ferdinand called him to wish him well, which shows class and commitment. Indeed, was it particularly professional of Capello to wash that dirty laundry in public? What does making that comment achieve? Though I've always rated Capello as a tactical coach, since the World Cup, I think we've seen some woeful man-management from him.
It wouldn't bother me at all unless they were docking my pay. The problem with language is an issue and I believe Capello should have done much more in the language department considering his wage. All he did from what I read though was talk about captaincy being an issue now because of Rio's injury problems and that he wanted to discuss it. He must feel like he's dealing with little children.
The whole thing is a joke, who really cares? The whole thing of being a captain is more about pride for the individual rather than anything meaningful. I captained my school and club side, so what, did i do anything different to what i would have done if i wasn't captain? Call heads or tails maybe I think Capello should have talked to Rio before speaking to anyone else but just so the guy doesn't need to find out about it through the press but i don't think it's a big deal overall. Italy just award the captaincy to the guy with the most caps no matter who they are, it's no big deal, probably why Capello didn't think it was such a big deal to give it back to Terry
I can see it both ways but Lineker said it best that Capello bizarrely and uncomfortably handled this situation and he's strange at times because you wonder what he's thinking. Lineker went on to say that Capello is forthright and does exactly what he wants to do and doesn't care about people's emotions. He's old school and that's how they used to do it. It didn't seem a criticism or compliment on Lineker's part but rather just a matter of fact.
