17 December 2007
VIDEO: Fabio Capello unveiled
Fabio Capello is unveiled to the media as the new England Manager, and calls it 'a dream come true'.
Fabio Capello announced his arrival by revealing that managing England was an ambition for a long time, even greater than the desire to lead his native country.

Conducting his first press conference as England Manager, Fabio Capello touched on the broad issues that face him in the coming weeks and months, and revealed his great pride in taking the job.

Capello revealed that to be the Manager of England was a dream come true, and not even the prospect of taking charge of the Azzuri could excite him more than the challenge ahead of him with the Three Lions.

Capello explained: "It is an honour to be the coach of the England team. It is a job everyone wants and it is a dream come true to get it.

"There are great expectations with the job but I am convinced this is a great team and that it can go right to the top.''

"To be honest I never wanted to manage Italy. Those close to me know that very well, with all respect to the Italian team who I played for and greatly admire."

Capello believes that playing for the national team is the ultimate honour in football, and he wants the players to realise their potential when representing their country.

"Wearing the England shirt should be a matter of pride," Capello said.

"There is not enough faith in the national squad and what it can achieve. I want to see the players play for England like they do for their clubs.

"It is a very big job because it is a very big shirt they are wearing. I am very lucky to be able to play until next autumn without the pressure and scrutiny of qualification games.

"I have four games before June when I will be able to experiment but more importantly form a group which regains a mentality and a philosophy in the national squad that can get the results.

"English footballers have a will to win and love for their country. It is a question of getting it out of them."

Capello also spoke of the sole English player he has managed at club level - David Beckham. Last season saw Capello and Beckham both at the Santiago Bernabeu, and ended the season with the La Liga trophy.

"I had a contrasting relationship with David Beckham at Real Madrid. In the end he demonstrated himself to be a great man and a great player.

"He is also the kind of person who, when he sets himself something, he will achieve it. With David Beckham, the only thing you would wish for is that he was younger.

"Will he be part of my plans? You never know. I will have to make choices. I believe basically that Beckham's behaviour will be important.

"However, there is still over a month to the first game so there is plenty of time for these important decisions to be made."

Capello also outlined that both he and the players would need to adapt to the challenges ahead.

"I believe a strict style of coaching is something one can only really apply if in contact with players on a daily basis," Capello admitted. "It is impossible to adapt coaching within one week.

"I am going to have to learn the habits of each individual and it is something I will decide when I meet the players.

"I think being the manager of England is also very different to being a manager of a club where you have daily contact with the players.

"My behaviour will have to change - as will theirs. All of them have a very big job to do because it is a very important shirt they are wearing.

"I have to watch all the England qualifying games. I believe the style England adopt will depend on the players available to me.

"Yes, I believe there should be a style of play but it is equally important to be flexible."