Fabio Capello was back in charge of England’s World Cup campaign on Monday after a player revolt launched by John Terry fizzled out, two days before a decisive meeting with Slovenia.
Terry had challenged Capello’s authority by promising to air a string of grievances at a squad meeting on Sunday evening, even if that meant upsetting the Italian.
If it was intended as a coup, it proved to be an abortive one. It emerged on Monday that Terry did not utter a single word at a meeting which was, according to his Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, exclusively dedicated to Capello’s dissection of what went wrong in the goalless draw with Algeria.
In a typically accomplished performance in front of the world’s media, Lampard smoothed over the cracks that have appeared as a result of England’s stuttering start to the tournament, suggesting his team-mate’s comments had been misinterpreted.
“I’ve not read the reports but from what I hear, I think it has been completely overdone in terms of crisis meeting and things like that,” Lampard said.
“I don’t know if John backed off. The meeting was the manager dealing with the Algeria game and we moved on.
“I’m not going to say John said this and the manager said that. I’ve had enough of people trying to make out there are different factions in the camp.
“The Algeria game had to be addressed and it was not nice viewing.”
Lampard said Terry’s comments were simply a reflection of his plain-talking nature, rather than him pursuing a personal agenda — which some have linked to Capello’s decision to strip him of the captaincy in February following revelations about his affair with England team-mate Wayne Bridge’s former girlfriend.
“Every person deals with things differently,” Lampard said. “Some won’t say much and others want to hit things head-on.
“We’ll try to hit things head-on on the training ground. I think that is the best way to hit things head on.”
One of the issues Terry appeared unhappy about was Capello’s reluctance to use Joe Cole, whom he described, as one of only two England players — along with Wayne Rooney — capable of unlocking defences.
But Lampard insisted that Terry had not been trying to pick the team for the coach.
“I think what he meant was that Joe is one of those players who have that special ability,” he said, dismissing a suggestion that Terry’s comment could be taken as a slight on him or Steven Gerrard.
“I really don’t think players are that sensitive,” he laughed. “I wasn’t knocking John’s door down saying ‘You don’t think I can unlock a defence.'”
Terry had also claimed that he had the backing of up to eight other members of the 23-man squad, including Lampard, who again reiterated that his team-mate’s account of a discussion after the Algeria match had been unfairly spun.
“There was no rebel gang,” Lampard said. “The media have to report it honestly and at the end of the day it was the lads sitting there talking about the Algeria game. The fact it has become about rebels just baffles me honestly.”
It was all smiles for the cameras at England’s training session on Monday morning and Capello later confirmed that Terry’s outburst would not cost him his place in the side.
The Chelsea defender will start against Slovenia with Matthew Upson coming in alongside him in the absence of the injured Ledley King and the suspended Jamie Carragher, Capello said.
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