Ferdinand defends Capello

England captain Rio Ferdinand has defended under-fire manager Fabio Capello.

Italian coach Capello has come in for criticism following the Three Lions' poor showing at the 2010 World Cup.

Furthermore, his latest decision not to call upon Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll for September's European qualifiers has ignited further vitriol, despite the pair being 21 or younger.

England qualified for the World Cup in emphatic fashion, and Ferdinand has pointed to those performances as evidence of Capello's quality.

The Manchester United centre-back told Sky Sports News: "You don't become a bad player overnight and I don't think all of a sudden our manager became a bad manager overnight.

"Before the tournament he was the best thing since sliced bread, we qualified in great style.

"All of these so-called people in the know were saying he is the Godfather, Don Fabio and what-not.

Dropped

"And now they have changed course. Yes, we didn't play well at the tournament, no-one is getting away from that.

"But that doesn't make him a bad manager overnight, and I think a lot of people are probably jumping the gun."

Ferdinand is also happy to accept any decision Capello chooses to make, especially regarding team selection.

He continued: "It is up to him who he picks and who he feels is right for the squad.

"If he sees it right to make changes, who are we to argue as players? We are just out there to go and do a job.

"It all about England winning, it is not about individuals. And if that means some people have to be disappointed by being dropped, so be it."