Fabio Capello Top of the List

March 22nd, 2010 | by: SoccerLimey |

This past week, The Times newspaper published it’s poll to determine “The Most Influential Person in Sports” and guess who finished top of the pile. Fabio Capello, the enigmatic coach of an England team that everyone has such high hopes for down in South Africa in June. Capello beats out such revered names as Sepp Blatter, Lord Coe and Jeremy Darroch with Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson trailing in 7th place.

Fabio Capello

What has propelled the Italian to such a lofty stature in so short a period of time ?

Capello is part of a very special group in the world of soccer. He belongs to a select band of “super coaches” who have proven over time that they can, on their own, change the course of matches, division titles and tournament outcomes, just by changing the way that their team plays the game. This group currently includes Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson, Capello, Guus Hiddink, Arsene Wenger, and it’s newest member, Roy Hodgson. They all have either consistently improved teams they have coached, or have created several successful squads over the time they have been at their club.

Capello single-handedly has elevated England’s chances of winning the 2010 World Cup from a outside long shot to a distinct possibility. He has turned a highly skeptical public into a following that, for once, believes in the manager rather than a group of underachieving players . It remains to be seen whether or not the confidence that Capello has gained realizes into achievement but the signs look good.

As I recall, the last manager to do this was a certain Alf Ramsay. Remember him ?

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http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

I know The Times is obviously very England and English centric, but to rank Fabio Capello’s “power” above Sepp Blatter’s is surely madness. One is the so far successful coach of a team, the other is the President of world football’s governing body.

The main thing this list illustrates for me is the golden moment Capello is having publicity wise. I’m old enough to have lived through a few England manager’s now, and am dreading the moment where the press turn on Capello.
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

There is no doubt that the honeymoon is not over for Capello just yet but it illustrates what a poor group he has followed. His discipline with his squad probably falsely endears him to the fanbase, as with McClaren it was the “good ole boys brigade”. It remains to be seen how loyal they stay if we struggle in the Group stage in June.
http://deleted hawk

Apart from the ranking issue I must say that Capello seems to be really outstanding.

After all he has thus far got the most out of a reservoir of players that is basically just / still as mediocre as the ones his predecessors had to deal with.
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

The acid test has always been tournament results. Only Venables and Robson have had any success at that since Ramsay, and Capello knows that. I think the key to success in South Africa is injuries. A fully fit squad will do well.
Orgasmagoal

This England team are headed for 4 more years of heartache and misery. Beckham’s injury is a message from the football Gods that this team of tired old hacks will be going home on the early flight.
Lets hope a team with flair, pace and passion win in South Africa.
http://soccerlimeyinamerica.com SoccerLimey

I doubt that they’ll be leaving early. They might not win it all but they’ll be a contender. Beckham’s injury is a blessing in disguise.
Orgasmagoal

Well yes they will get thru the 1st round. After that I dont know. With no more injuries they might get to the quarters. Enjoy