Fabio Capello quits as England manager after Terry fallout

Fabio Capello has quit as England manager after publicly challenging the Football Association’s decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

“Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect,” the FA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old Italian quit following a meeting at Wembley with FA chairman David Bernstein.

The FA said their discussions focused on its decision to remove the captaincy from Chelsea skipper Terry, who is facing trial later this year on charges of racially abusing QPR player Anton Ferdinand.

Capello criticised the decision on Italian television, insisting it was “absolutely” the wrong decision.

Such a public breach with his employers meant there was no way forward in the job for the Capello.

“I would like to stress that during today’s meeting and throughout his time as England manager, Fabio has conducted himself in an extremely professional manner,” Bernstein said.

“We have accepted Fabio’s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision. We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.”

The decision comes within hours of Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp being cleared by a jury over charges of tax evasion.

Redknapp is the bookmakers’ favourite to become the next England manager.

Capello was heavily criticised for England’s disappointing performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where they were thrashed by Germany in the second round.

His contract was due to expire following the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, which kicks off in June.

“Shocked about news on Fabio Capello,” England midfielder Jack Wilshere wrote on Twitter. “Gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello!

Capello’s career as a player and manager

Date of birth: June 18, 1946

Place of birth: San Canzian d’Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy

Age: 65

PLAYING CAREER

Clubs: SPAL (1964-67), Roma (1967-70), Juventus (1970-76), AC Milan (1976-80)

Club honours

Roma: 1969 Italian Cup

Juventus: 1972, 1973, 1975 Italian league titles

AC Milan: 1979 Italian title, 1977 Italian Cup

Italy

Caps: 32

Goals: 8

MANAGEMENT CAREER

Clubs: AC Milan (1991-96), Real Madrid (1996-97), AC Milan (1997-98), Roma (1999-2004), Juventus (2004-06), Real Madrid (2006-07)

Club honours

AC Milan: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 Italian league titles, Champions League 1994, European Super Cup 1994, Champions League runners-up 1993, 1995

Real Madrid: 1997, 2007 Spanish league titles

Roma: 2001 Italian league title

Juventus: 2005, 2006 Italian league titles (both revoked after match-fixing scandal involving Juventus)

England

Appointed: December 2007

Resigned: February 2012

Record: Played 42, Won 28, Drawn 8, Lost 6

First match: v Switzerland (friendly), won 2-1

Last match: v Sweden (friendly), won 1-0

2010 World Cup record: group stages (1-1 v United States, 0-0 v Algeria, won 1-0 v Slovenia), last 16 (lost 4-1 v Germany)

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