UK: Capello to become England manager

[Don't panic]

out of curiosity, what would be considered a successful stint? what are the expectations?

considered that in its history england got to the semis only four times (two in each competition) and made past it only in '66 at home, would semifinals at the WC 2010 and, say, a final at euro 2012 (without winning) be considered positive, or anything short of winning one of the two would be regarded as a failure?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

out of curiosity, what would be considered a successful stint? what are the expectations?

In the minds of some, the minimum expectation is for us to win everything we enter. They believe that as the greatest footballing nation in the world we, with our team of world class players, shouldn't settle for anything less – winning every competition we enter is after all our god-given right.

In all seriousness though, I think the average football fan can stomach defeat – and England fans are used to the feeling after all – if the defeat is seen as being an honourable one.

As you mention, with the exception of our 1966 win the two best performances we've had came in 1990 and 1996, where we reached the semi-finals of the tournaments in question only to be knocked out on penalties after a hard-fought match against the eventual winners (a German side in both instances, but we'll gloss over that ). If our team has gone out there, given everything but has been beaten by the better side we might not exactly be overjoyed but at least we can take some pride in our performance.

What no one likes to see are gutless, inept performances by a team that doesn't really seem to care, led by a manager who appears seriously out of his depth at international level. We've had our fill of them, so as a minimum expectation can we have some committed, convincing displays from our supposed stars please, leading to us at least qualifying for and preferably progressing to the latter stages of the competitions we enter. Not too much to ask, surely?

 

[scotthayes]

out of curiosity, what would be considered a successful stint? what are the expectations?

To me a successful stint would be to do better than Sven. That is, qualify with out a problem for The World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012, and a minimum of the semi-finals on both.

 

[Markleshark]

out of curiosity, what would be considered a successful stint? what are the expectations?

Qualifying for every major tournament. Qualifying is the first tier of expectation, that should almost be a formality for this England team.

How far we get in those, well, I dunno. As far as possible.

As Jaffa Cake said, the main thing is seeing players player that look like they actually want to be there, will give 110% all the time and are not just in the team because everyone knows their second name. Which is why Capello is perfect for this job, as would Jose have been, they have the brass balls to drop these players.

 

[gavd]

To me a successful stint would be to do better than Sven. That is, qualify with out a problem for The World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012, and a minimum of the semi-finals on both.

The Qualifying bit was never a problem with Sven. It was just what happened when we got to a major tournament...

I don't want to see us have to get to a certain stage - I more agree with Jaffa in that I want to see them look like they care.

 

[Blue Velvet]

To me a successful stint would be to do better than Sven. That is, qualify with out a problem for The World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012, and a minimum of the semi-finals on both.

Minimum of semi-finals? There's no reason to expect that sort of performance from a stable of players that over the years have been found out time and time again by more technically-gifted and motivated nations. Look at the top of the tree and tell me that England deserves to sit with Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Germany etc... let alone being able to sweep aside countries like France, Holland, Croatia, Spain...

One of the main problems is is that these tournaments are always in the summer and almost always do not favour the traditional strengths of the English game.

England have no right to expect anything at all, and this is the biggest problem of all; the nation's absurd expectations falling on the shoulders of the players. The support is so demanding, yet so fickle, I can't blame them for freezing at the drop of a hat.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

England have no right to expect anything at all, and this is the biggest problem of all; the nation's absurd expectations falling on the shoulders of the players. The support is so demanding, yet so fickle, I can't blame them for freezing at the drop of a hat.

Of course, had we somehow fluked our way into next summer's championship courtesy of a favour from Israel and then Russia somehow blowing it in the last match, the papers would be spending the next six months building the team up with ridiculous claims that we're the best team in the world and are going to walk it – before of course demanding the manager's head on a platter when we fail.

At football we might be lacking, but if there were championships in this kind of silliness we'd be world champions every four years.

 

[Maldini]

Learn to speak English if you want success, warns Benítez
And Benitez is always right

I follow Italian football alot and Capello is a winner, he always delivers BUT his success in the Champions league is minimum, I'm afraid he's the league manager type, he's not made for international tournaments, i dont think he can handle the pressure of defining matches like in a semis or the final..he needs 40+ games in a league to succeed, Lippi or Ancelotti of Milan would be a better choice IMO.