Gerrard puts faith in Fabio

Skipper says Italian boss should stay

Last updated: 3rd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gerrard puts faith in Fabio

Gerrard: Capello belief

It's important that Fabio is still given a chance. For me, he's a fantastic manager.

Steven Gerrard
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Captain Steve Gerrard has leapt to the defence of coach Fabio Capello ahead of England's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The Three Lions host Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday evening before taking on Switzerland in Basel on Tuesday in the first competitive games since the World Cup debacle.

Liverpool star Gerrard has pledged his full backing to Italian boss Capello, and insists it is "crazy" to suggest England will suddenly be transformed into a tournament-winning team by a "knee-jerk" change of manager.

Belief

"I wanted Fabio to stay. I have a lot belief in him," said Gerrard. "It's important that Fabio is still given a chance. For me, he's a fantastic manager.

"Who out there that is an English manager has the CV that Fabio Capello has got?

"Will his future be decided by these two games? I don't know. I hope not. I'm not in control.

"It has happened before but hopefully that won't be the case again. Hopefully we can get two good results and start slowly building for the future.

"There are still good managers out there.

"But it would be a knee-jerk reaction to sack a manager after one bad tournament, then think everything will be rosy when you start with a new guy and we'll go on and win Euro 2012.

"That's crazy. It's crazy to think it's as easy as that."

Some sections of the media have made Capello public enemy No.1 since England's dismal World Cup showing this summer.

But Gerrard insists the players and not the manager should take the majority of the blame for South Africa, and has dispelled speculation of a communication breakdown between Capello and the team.

"It seems as if there's a lot of blame going towards the manager," he added.

"But it was the players who under-performed out there. People talk about tactics and stuff, but there's only so much that a manager can do.

"The players have to deliver, and the players never delivered in Africa.

"Of course, everyone knows in football that the manager eventually gets the blame if things don't go well, but for me, we should get behind him now.

"The communication between players and managers is also not a problem. He talks to the players individually, and the team, and the message does come across."

Comments (5)

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Adam Worthington (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

it is fair to say that capellos cv is quite impressive, but look at the teams he has been succesful wiv, success is to be expected at top european clubs like that, personally i think stuart pearce would be an outstanding appointment, he has worked with cappello and i''m sure he will have gained alot of experience, add that to his passion, england pride and drive to succeed, with the right people alongside him it would be a winning formula

Posted 17:09 3rd September 2010

Stephen Groody (Newcastle Utd) (Newcastle United fan) says...

Of course Gerrard is going to back the manager,why wouldn''t he,after all Capello keep''s picking him despite his constant failure''s as an England player.Five or six half decent performance''s in 85 England game''s

Posted 14:45 3rd September 2010

David Mchugh (Liverpool fan) says...

to gerrards question what english has a cv like capello the answeer is harry redknapp took over portsmoth who were domed for relegation an he saved them same with spurs saved them from relegation theheir in the champions league signing players like van der vaart big woop he won the league with real madrid look at the team . england were not only winning but dominating in world cup qualifiers then he gets to the main event and changes the formation and didnt change it back when it didnt work agains usa ano harry wont leave spurs though wt isa shame (editor please let me know wt u think my emails their) fans let me know aswell

Posted 14:04 3rd September 2010

Ram Rago (Arsenal fan) says...

95 % of the blame should be placed on the players. They failed to accelerate into third gear at the World Cup. Capello can only do so much, in the field the players make the difference. If a new coach is to be appointed i will support Beckham.

Posted 13:25 3rd September 2010

Karl Allison (Sunderland fan) says...

Why do players defend the manager and blame them selfs, every England fan knows it was the players who let the country down and did not perform in South Africa, but the manager still chose them player. Not one fan can truely say that before the world cup Rooney was playing his best football but was still taken and played soley up front for the world cup. That is the managers fault, if a player aint himself then he needs to be left behind, till his head is sorted and he returns to form. Its time to say goodbye to some of the older players, Terry, Lampard, Heskey etc. these players keep getting the call up but under pressure they seem to fold. Lets getting the younger generation in and give them 2012 to gel and by 2014 we can look forward to an England team with youth and experiance. Players like Walcott, Hart, Johnson and Gibbs are the future, and should be playing the international games now.

Posted 10:42 3rd September 2010
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