As the inquest of inquests gets underway over England’s shambolic World Cup campaign there is one fact that is beyond debate.
England have lost the communications game.
It may seem trivial in comparison to the numerous malfunctions within the side that has drawn with the USA and Algeria but everything in football comes down to communications.
I’ve not really paid too much attention to Fabio Capello since his appointment as England manager.
Watching and listening to his post-match interviews last night was an eye-opener.
Capello can barely speak English. He gave the appearance of being a foreign manager hoping to be polite in faltering English and not wishing to upset his hosts.
Footballers are naturally suspicious and cynical, I can’t imagine that there’s much support or warmth towards Capello within the England squad. Discussing tactics must be a laboured exercise, attempting to exchange ideas and discuss matters in the heat of a match would be laughable.
The excitable and fawning coverage of the Italian (he must be good because he’s Italian) from the English media has covered up the most basic failing of Capello- his inability to speak understandable English.
There were some concerns raised at the time of his appointment over his lack of English but they were glossed over in the euphoria of appointing a reassuring big name to replace Steve McClaren who will forever be known as the ‘Wally with the Brolly’.
Last night’s ‘conversation between Capello and captain Steven Gerrard looks like being the Italian’s brolly moment.
The puzzlement and frustration on Gerrard’s face as his manager attempted to get him to change tactics said it all.
Listening in to an exchange of Parliamo Italiano against raw Scouse against a background of the blaring vuvuzela would have been comedy gold.
Gerrard was clearly struggling to understand what his manager was saying never mind implement those changes on the pitch.
There was no noticeable difference in approach from England after the ‘conversation’ with the after match reactions of the England players and in particular Capello speaking volumes.
Whether he is way out of his depth or acting up Capello was totally incapable of expressing himself or getting his view across beyond clutching to a few well worn cliches.
Listening to some of his players afterwards it seems that the England squad are suffering similar problems as they slipped into Shearer-speak where they deliver predictable, bland, smart bordering smug answers that that add nothing to the debate.
David James answers were particularly smug, clever-clogs speak from someone out of touch with the devastation and dejection being felt by the English nation.
Putting Capello’s faltering English alongside a group of spoiled over-rated footballers thrust into a pressurised situation outwith their club comfort zone is a recipe for disaster with the next installment against Slovenia on Wednesday compulsive viewing.
Whether it’s on the training ground or the crucial 15 minutes at half-time it’s impossible to imagine Capello getting his message over to players in the manner of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho.
Being foreign doesn’t have to be a communications barrier, being reluctant to speak in the language of his players instantly creates a barrier and suspicions amongst footballers.
A manager like Mourinho comes along once in a generation, someone able to bring success and learn the ways of the world in different countries.
Capello is certainly no Jose but for all the money invested into the game and especially the national side the FA really should have found themselves a manager capable of expressing himself and communicating.
He’s not a favourite of the old boys network and has the sort of baggage that brought Terry Veneables to a halt but I detect the early signs of a campaign to give Harry Redknapp the job.
Straight talking ‘arry is certainly on the same wavelength as the players and England supporters- whether he can end 44 years and counting of hurt is another matter entirely.
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I know one of the things he said to Gerrard….
“Hey…gonna tell that guy Joe that we drew with Algeria and noah..Cameroon…
Canna he no communicate properly….??”… :0)
Capello has proved himself at the highest level time and time again. These English players haven’t unless it’s been in a team that’s full of foreign players which masks the fundamental weaknesses of English players.
Assemble a team full of Englishmen and their weaknesses become painfully apparent – good individually but poor as a team. That screams a lack of tactical understanding from the players.
They may have decent enough technique, not world leading, but good enough to be well regarded as players but if you lack tactical knowledge you’ll never make a good team.
Capello set Gerrard out wide left and Gerrard never stayed there which exposed their left back. He got moved to the right and he never stayed there exposing his right back. This happened throughout the game, players not maintaining their proper position and this hurts the team.
English players in English teams rely on their foreign team mates to maintain their discipline in order to make the team work. Take the foreign players out, have an all English side and it’s clear they are lacking something fundamental.
This article is complete nonsense. As you said, you had not been paying attention so why speak up now with some weak arguement. He has communicated fine for the last year. He has been in pressure situations before and succeeded. It’s the players not the manager.
Thanks Mike, I’ve corrected that, maybe get you on board as my proof reader!
Mack, I’ve been aware that Capello’s English isn’t fluent, the communications of the England manager isn’t of much interest most of the year.
Watching him closely, at ‘the biggest show on earth’ this is a major failing, very obvious last night and you’ll probably find that it is a very popular topic online, on radio, television and in newspapers.
Didn’t Guus Hiddink lead an unfashionable South Korea to a world cup semi final without speaking fluent Korean? Language is an easy excuse not a barrier to success.
Probably a bit of both. Coaches need to communicate their wishes quickly and clearly in the heat of battle on the pitch. If basic instructions are not transmitted, then the result is as we see it in the England camp. Players at this level should be clever and astute enough to make autonimous decisions to influence what is clearly a failing formation. This has always been the case with England, regardless of which nationality the coach is. Not enough leadership on the park and little or no self belief that they can overcome adversity.If Capello is not getting the message across, why not employ Sammy Lee to convey his ideas to the players?