Capello to stay past Euro 2012

Chief executive Watmore rubbishes Hodgson link

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 3rd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Capello to stay past Euro 2012

Capello: Won't stand down

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England boss Fabio Capello will remain in charge of the team until after the European Championship in 2012, according to Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore.

There had been speculation that Capello would stand down as boss after the summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, but Watmore was keen to play down such suggestions by saying the Italian would continue in the role beyond the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Capello's deal runs until the summer of 2012, although Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been touted as an early successor should he stand down following the World Cup.

Speculation that Hodgson would be interested in the role was fuelled after the 62-year-old decided to sign a new rolling contract with the Craven Cottage club that contained a release clause.

Despite the talk, Capello himself has not given any indication he is willing to stand down ahead of the European finals, a sentiment echoed by Watmore, who insisted the Three Lions boss would honour the length of his contract.

"Reports linking Roy Hodgson or any manager with the England job post the World Cup are just not true," Watmore said.

"We expect Fabio Capello to remain in the post for the duration of his contract, which runs through to the summer of 2012.

"Fabio Capello has also made it clear that he expects to continue in the role after the World Cup and throughout the Euro 2012 campaign."

Painstaking preparations

Meanwhile, Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini have begun their painstaking preparations for the start of the tournament, which begins on 11th June.

Baldini will travel to Angola later in January to take a look at Group C opponents Algeria at the African Cup of Nations, while Capello hopes to tie up a friendly clash against Mexico to prepare his side for the group opener against the United States on 12th June.

A date with Egypt for 3rd March has already been set, and England will complete their pre-tournament build-up with a high altitude training camp in Austria.

Capello's side will then take on Japan prior to departure to their Rustenburg training base.