Terry reinstated as captain

Ferdinand 'preferred not to meet' Capello at Old Trafford

Last updated: 20th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Terry reinstated as captain

Terry: Returns as skipper

I have decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will again be the permanent captain. I think one year's punishment is enough.

Fabio Capello
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John Terry has been reinstated as England's permanent captain after being forgiven by head coach Fabio Capello for his off-the-field behaviour.

Capello revealed at a Wembley media briefing that the Chelsea skipper will replace Rio Ferdinand at international level - starting with next Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff.

But the England boss has been unable to communicate the news personally to Ferdinand, with the Italian claiming the Manchester United defender 'preferred not to meet me' at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Terry was initially appointed England captain by Steve McClaren in August 2006 and then Capello reinstated him in August 2008 after initially experimenting with different players in the role.

He stripped Terry of the honour 13 months ago after an alleged affair with a former girlfriend of ex-England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But Capello has decided Terry has served a sufficient punishment after describing him as the "biggest personality" in the England dressing room and a "leader".

The way the armband was passed around from player to player after Frank Lampard, captain for last month's friendly in Denmark, was substituted was also a factor for Capello.

He said: "I decided John Terry would be the captain for this game (against Wales) because, after the game in Copenhagen, the way the armband was moved around was upsetting for him.

First choice

"Also, I said my decision would be the day before the (Wales) game because I wanted to speak with the players, I wanted to speak with John Terry.

"I also knew the England doctors spoke with the doctors of Manchester United and Liverpool and I knew that Rio and Steven Gerrard were injured.

"But I have decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will again be the permanent captain. I think one year's punishment is enough.

"He was my first choice when I (initially) decided on the permanent captain."

Capello added: "John also, when he played without the armband, was every time a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room. He was really good every time.

"I have been impressed with John in the 12 months he was not captain.

"Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader.

"This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room."

Capello believes Terry will have learnt from his alleged off-the-field indiscretions and is confident he will have the support of the dressing room.

He said: ""Sometimes the leader can make mistakes - not only him but I, you, all the people.

"It is not a risk making Terry captain again. He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes and all the people learn from mistakes.

Important

"He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.

"I also think the players will be happy. I think so. They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely."

Capello will give the reasons behind his decision when the England players meet up at their Hertfordshire base on Monday to prepare for the game with Gary Speed's Wales.

Ferdinand will revert to his previous role as vice-captain when he recovers from injury, with Gerrard, also ruled out of the Wales clash, next in line to wear the armband.

Capello had been keen to speak to Ferdinand when at United for the UEFA Champions League clash with Marseille but the meeting never took place.

He said: "I tried to meet Rio at the Manchester United game.

"I hope I will meet him in the future to speak with him personally and privately, not by phone because I think by phone is not so good.

"He was ready to meet me but he preferred not to meet us. I don't know why. It is a question for him, not me.

"I was ready, I wanted to speak with him and explain my decision.

"I hope he will be fit to play for the national team because he is one of the most important people with his experience and value as a player.

"I spoke with Steven and it is no problem for him and he told me he wants to be fit to play the next Euro game against Switzerland.

"The most important thing for him is to return to playing on a weekly basis after the operation."

Comments (154)

Ashley Eddon (Manchester United fan) says...

This is a utter disgrace and a total act of disrespect by capello towards Rio !!! Yes Terry is a good captain but Rio has done nothing to deserve this treatment If i was Rio i know exactly what id do and that is tell Mr Capello to stick his team firmly in the most uncomfortable place imaginable, and then as a act of respect all those who backed Wayne Bridge back him and Rio and refuse to play against wales and make this joke the butt of their joke. SACK CAPELLO NOW !! YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE GAME OF FOOTBALL CAPELLO OUT !!!!!

Posted 16:05 21st March 2011

Lisa Hurst (Manchester United fan) says...

Yet another example of these over-paid footballers doing whatever they want and knowing they'll get away with it eventually!! No wonder the national team is in disarray - how can we support a group of men we can't respect?? I think (and it's just my opinion!) that Steven Gerrard should have been made captain as soon as Becks was dropped - he's the natural choice and, most importantly, he doesn't live his life like a professional playboy!!

Posted 17:20 20th March 2011

Mark G (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm not surprised that Capello has taken the cowardly decision to reinstate John Terry as captain. England consist of some top quality players but their mentality is rotten to the core. John Terry should have not only never played for England again but stripped as chelsea captain also. I'm not saying that Ferdinand deserves it either because he doesn't. The England team needs to recreate itself- get rid of the arogant thugs that run that team now and build it from the ground up with young players that work hard and proove themselves week in and week out across all divisions. Is the decision to reinstate Terry as captain influenced by Capello's future job? If he wanted to stay in English football and manage one of the top teams who would he aim for? Man Utd, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal managers arn't going anywhere soon. Chelsea on the other hand-?????? and who runs Chelsea?- John Terry and Frank Lampard! Just a thought. From a neutral

Posted 17:12 20th March 2011

Senseiandy Andy (Manchester United fan) says...

just remember, Terry, 3rd choice captain, from the man who chose to leave Baines and Walcott at home for world cup!!

Posted 16:54 20th March 2011

Daniel O connor (Liverpool fan) says...

I just cant understand why Capello is opening up this can of worms again. He is making himself look like an idiot while risking the wrath of Fredinand and anyone else in the dressing room who backed Bridge over Terry at the time. It is another prime example of Capello's ignorance of and inability to deal with the media hype that surrounds the England team.

Posted 16:40 20th March 2011

Alan Bennett says...

John Terry re-instated as England captain, about time,he should never have lost it in the first place.All over an alleged affair taken out of all context by newspapers too slag an England player off and assist in pulling our own players morale down before another big football competition. Any how make the most of it now , because with all the football clubs buying foreign players ,paying rediculous wages there will not be any English players left in the premiership in ten to fifteen years time.Anyhow good luck JT Derby Fan

Posted 16:33 20th March 2011

Callun Hughes (Manchester United fan) says...

why not have john terry as captain he is a top leader will put his body on the line for his club and country. rooney has too short a fuse and gerrard is hit and miss with his performances.

Posted 16:24 20th March 2011

Cody Pollock (Liverpool fan) says...

I think this is all harsh on Steven Gerrard, he was vice-captain when Terry was stripped and should have been made captain, then ferdinand was made captain, now he's been stripped i thought surley Gerrard now, but no Capelo's just done another wrong decision like he has done as manager as England, i mean why on earth did he take Emile Heskey to the world cup over Darren Bent, should be sacked immediently and be replaced by Harry Redknapp

Posted 16:22 20th March 2011

Ritchie Bolin (Manchester United fan) says...

Once again Capello shows a complete lack of thought and respect for his players and speaks via the media instead of to his players to inform them of his decisions. Ferdinand maybe injured and may well be past his best but if Cappelo wanted to change the Captins armband on a permanent basis then common politeness should be to the current Captin, not via Sky Sports. I do not agree with reinstating John Terry as a Captin, while he may have good qualities as a footballer, his off field antics are not worthy of the position. Lets be honest how many of you out there would trust the guy for what he did, how many of you would respect him if you were working with him and he was your boss, very few. Lets be blunt about this he cares more about covering his shady antics, the affair and selling tours around the ground than anything else. The Captin is about being a role model to his fellow players and the kids in this country, wear the armband with pride not soil it with the behaviour he has shown. While there is a lack of moral fibre in the camp and suitable replacements, a retrograde step is not called for. Capello should have been fired after the World Cup and this latest farce shows how lacking he is again in respect for his players and the team.

Posted 16:17 20th March 2011

R Lowe (Manchester United fan) says...

Disgraceful is the only word that can describe how Capello has handled this matter. John Terry is not fit to play for England nevermind Captain them! I think Gerrard and Ferdinand should both refuse to play for England whilst this joker remains in charge. I for one am ashamed at the whole debarcle!!! The rest of the world must be laughing their socks off at us. CAPELLO OUT, HOLLOWAY IN!!!

Posted 16:06 20th March 2011

Sarah Bockett (Liverpool fan) says...

not watching england why give him the captain !!

Posted 16:01 20th March 2011

Adam Joe (Manchester United fan) says...

Even though I'm a Manchester United fan, i believe JT is the best captain for England. Off field behavior doesn't change the fact that he is one of the best captains in the world!

Posted 13:17 20th March 2011

James Stamp (Manchester United fan) says...

England giving the managers job to someone that could not speak english is the biggest joke in footballs history

Posted 13:14 20th March 2011

Carl Chatwin (Manchester United fan) says...

Nobody in England's so called first 11 is worthy of the captaincy armband for one reason or another, we need a new national manager asap and the squad to be given a complete overhaul.

Posted 13:13 20th March 2011

Andy Curtis (Manchester United fan) says...

would you want John Terry as a mate? No probably not, you couldn't trust him, so why should you have him lead out your team? Answer, you shouldn't!

Posted 13:11 20th March 2011

Michael Elliot (Chelsea fan) says...

I think its not right to blame Capello for making Terry captain. Terry deserves to be captain. He is the most player qualified to get the armband. I am not saying this because I am a Chelsea fan but because I want the English national team to improve. The worst thing we can do is start complaining. Come on, lets all support the England team.

Posted 13:08 20th March 2011

Barry Davies (Manchester United fan) says...

Great news!!! Nothing wrong with John Terry being captain again, to all united fans this could be good news as there is a possibility that Rio would now call a day for his England career and hopefully he would play more matches for united in the coming years!

Posted 13:08 20th March 2011

Rob L (Chelsea fan) says...

For all of you moaning, consider this. The affair was alleged, and they had already split up. Rio has served a drug ban, far worse in my opinion Rooney has his seedy side, as reported often paying for women. gerrard has his skeletons as well as an injunction in place. Who is left ? At least Beckham was a family man. Crouch, Cole and others have been in the papers for the wrong reasons. This only leaves Lampard and the goalkeeper ! Agreed the team needs a shake up.

Posted 12:55 20th March 2011

Marc Parkinson (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

I can't believe people saying JT isn't fit to wear the Captain's armband of England. Let's put his 'crime' into context. Is it worse than former captain Tony Adams' crime and subsequent jail sentence for drink driving? (Although Adams deserves a hell of a lot of credit for the way he changed his life around). Rio as good as he is, misses more games than he starts nowadays. IMO JT is the best choice and only natural leader that we have in the current England set-up and has served his 'sentence'.

Posted 12:34 20th March 2011

Trav James (Manchester United fan) says...

As an United fan i'm dissapointed to see Rio loose the captaincy but Terry is a great captain as well for me and he knows what the job is all about as he's had it before with England and has been captain at Chelsea for most of his career. Instead of knocking the decision to make him captain, everyone should just get on with it and get behind the England team. Simple as!

Posted 12:28 20th March 2011

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