Footballing World | Capello Can’t Go Wrong: The ‘Cushiest Job’ In Football

England

Capello Can’t Go Wrong: The ‘Cushiest Job’ In Football

By James Viney ⋅ February 15, 2008 ⋅

Fabio Capello, England coach It has been argued by many that the job as the manager of the England football team is the ‘toughest job’ in football; it has come to be regarded as a thankless task – it is, they say, the ‘impossible job’.

Or, at least, this is how it may seem when one recalls the countless years of chronic underachievement; the ludicrously high expectations of the public; the numerous players of poor technique and limited footballing ability that have worn the three lions on their shirt; the missed penalties; the ravenous tabloid press; and the visage of Graham Taylor morphing into a turnip on the back page of The Sun.

However, it is the argument of this article that England managers need not end up hiding away behind an umbrella on the touchline in the rain, looking clueless, worn-out and bewildered in the manner of the perennially ‘out-of-his-depth’ Steve McClaren.

Indeed in spite of all of the above, and more, this role should not be considered as being a ‘poisoned chalice’ at all – it is quite simply, the ‘cushiest job’ in football management.

Admittedly, to succeed and enjoy the cushy and fruitful lifestyle that this post potentially affords, the ideal candidate (and in this, Fabio Capello certainly fits the bill) would need to have skin as thick as a rhinoceros, the ability to erase disappointment from their psyche at will, an impressive CV already under their belt (Capello’s CV includes nine league titles in the past 16 seasons – seven in Italy and two in Spain – and one Champion’s League bauble); an unshakable self-confidence, and an ego the size of Jupiter.

The Italian media will forgive Capello for failing with England Thus, it can be reasoned that the position has the promise (for an individual with the requisite personality traits, such as Capello) to be comfortable, undemanding, hugely financially rewarding, and something of a ‘soft option’. If this seems a little far-fetched then imagine if you will the worst case scenario that may confront Capello over the next 20-22 months or so.

He leisurely oversees a maximum of 15-20 matches during this period, with the team playing dull, predictable, unambitious, and ultimately unsuccessful, football. He achieves the same qualification outcome as his predecessor and fails to qualify for a major tournament (in this case the 2010 world cup in South Africa). He faces the temporary wrath of fans and media alike, agrees ‘a parting of the ways’ with the FA, and jets off to lounge around on a secluded beach in the Caribbean with £10-15m of wages/pay-off money in his pocket.

He bemoans the fact that only 38% of players in the Premier League are English, that the heavily congested fixture list and lack of a winter break are also to the national team’s disadvantage, and recognises that he simply couldn’t have done anymore.

He accepts the reassurances of the Italian media that ‘Even Capello Can’t Save England’.

He takes a short sabbatical to relax and spend time with his family. He listens to some classical music and invests in some expensive surrealistic art. He agrees to manage a top European club side (Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma would probably all have him back), and admits that the English, with their propensity for long-ball football and tactical and technical inflexibility, will never succeed… no matter who is in charge.

Is the England job ‘cushy’?
Share your views by leaving a comment below.