FABIO Capello received the public backing of one of the senior figures within the English FA last night to stay in his job as the leading candidate to replace him, Roy Hodgson, edged closer to joining Liverpool, reports Dominic Fifieldand Andy Hunter.
The England manager arrived in London with his crestfallen England players yesterday following their humiliating elimination to Germany having been told by Dave Richards, the chairman of Club England, that no decision would be made on his future as the national manager for two weeks at the earliest.
The Italian has since left on holiday, although it is understood he already benefits from the support of influential figures within the FA to retain his post.
That could yet prove significant as Richards gauges opinion within and outside the game’s governing body as to how to progress with the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign to begin in the autumn.
Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside, a member of the FA’s main board and a close ally of Richards, voiced that support by telling the BBC last night: “We’ve got the best man for the job. It’s not his fault. I hope he stays and I think he will stay. He has done a good job and he needs to be able to get on with it. It’s not about the money, we have to be strong.”
Capello has made it clear to his employers that he does not intend to resign with two seasons remaining on his €7.5 million-a- year contract, effectively placing the onus on them to sack him if they wish to instigate a change at the top.
The financial reality of terminating the 64-year-old’s contract, however, would force the FA into paying around €12 million in compensation for the Champions League, Serie A and La Liga winning coach, a figure the body will instinctively consider prohibitive.
The FA’s options for a potential successor appear to be dwindling with Liverpool confident of agreeing terms with Fulham manager Hodgson to move to Merseyside by the end of the week. The 62-year-old has been the frontrunner to replace Rafael Benitez since the Spaniard accepted a €7.5 million pay-off to leave the club this month.
Hodgson has long coveted the England manager’s job and told the Observer recently that the national position would represent “a crowning glory” in his nomadic career.
Yet, despite the possibility of a vacancy arising at the FA within a fortnight, he could be confirmed as Liverpool’s manager within days.
Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson’s return from commentary duties in South Africa, and only the specifics of his contract have to be resolved.
Liverpool are happy to meet the €3 million compensation fee in Hodgson’s 12-month rolling contract with Fulham, although there are suggestions he may have to quit Craven Cottage to clear the way for the move north.
As well as Hodgson, former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini and Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have been linked with the vacancy.
GuardianService
