Is Fabio the man to bring an end to forty years of hurt?

The most encouraging thing about the news that Fabio Capello is set to become England manager is his refusal to accept egos in his team. One of the problems that has so blighted England in recent years is our obsession with star players at the expense of the team itself; exhibit a is how long the Lampard–Gerrard partnership was kept going despite the fact it was evident the two of them could not play together. Equally, the England team is blighted by mediocre players whose huge wage packets persuade them that they’ve made it. Just look at how many of them swan around in white or red boots—which really should be the preserve of the odd exceptionally skilled Brazilian.

The talent is there for England to have a decent side, we just need a manager who can pick the best XI and get the players to perform at the same level for their country as they do for their clubs.