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Wayne Rooney Explains Why Fabio Capello Didn't Work As England Manager

Wayne Rooney Explains Why Fabio Capello Didn't Work As England Manager

Not entirely sure about this, Wayne

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

Remember the 2010 World Cup? Shite, wasn't it? Barely anything happened, Vuvuzelas proved themselves to be the single most annoying thing to happen to football since the England band and the final was basically just the Netherlands booting Spain all over the pitch for 120 minutes until Andres Iniesta scored.

England's campaign was, in short, hilariously bad. Fabio Capello's men ambled through draws with the United States and Algeria before scraping past Slovenia thanks to a Jermain Defoe goal to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament.

In the second round, the Three Lions were destroyed 4-1 by Germany to bring the curtain down on yet another disastrous major international tournament.


Rooney and Capello endured a tense relationship during the Italian manager's in charge of the England national team, until Capello's departure just before Euro 2012. Images: PA

And former captain Wayne Rooney believes a large portion of blame should fall at then manager Capello's feet.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Rooney said, via the Mirror, "His English wasn't great and it didn't feel right.

"He brought in his Italian backroom staff. I remember out in the World Cup in South Africa, Fabio and his coaches were watching England play and were cheering when Italy scored.

"He was there as England manager. I don't think it was right."

Italy, then World champions, suffered through an even worse campaign, failing to beat any of Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia and subsequently crashing out in the group stage with just two points, so it wasn't as if Capello and his staff had all that much to cheer about anyway. Although Fabio Quagliarella's chip against Slovakia was gorgeous.

We're not sure how Capello cheering on his home nation made things difficult for the England squad against international super powers such as America and Algeria, but apparently it did.

(H/T The Mirror)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Fabio Capello, England, Wayne Rooney