Capello must wait to know his future

RUSTENBURG - Fabio Capello wants to stay on as England manager but the Football Association is not taking any immediate decisions following Sunday’s World Cup exit.

Capello said Monday in Rustenburg he will have to wait two weeks to find out if the FA would like him to carry on.

“I spoke this morning with (FA chairman) Sir Dave Richards. He told me that he needs two weeks to decide. I said I can be for next season, the manager of England, but they have to decide.”

Asked at a news conference if he still wanted to stay in the job, Capello said “absolutely.”

He added: “I have got a contract and I refused a lot of opportunities to be a manager from a lot of important clubs because I would like to stay here.”

Capello blamed tiredness for England’s lacklustre showing at the World Cup which culminated in a 4-1 defeat to Germany in Bloemfontein in Sunday’s last-16 match.

The 64-year-old Italian, who last month extended his contract until 2012, said: “I understand a lot after this tournament, because the performance was not what we wanted. We were very tired.”

Capello said he would back a winter break, saying the Germans at international and club level were always much fresher at the end of the season thanks to the break.

“Germany always arrive in the second half of season very well. But it’s not my job to decide that.”

Capello said his talks with Richards included the need to bring in younger players but said he thought he took the best players available to South Africa.

“When I chose the players, I followed them all for a long time. I took the best players for a job,” he said.

Asked why Wayne Rooney had not performed at his best, Capello said it was not about one player.

“All the players were not as good as I know, they didn’t play as fast or as quick as they can. In games against Mexico, Japan , the game here, USA, Algeria and Germany we played well but not as fast as we can.”

Capello again referred to the goal against Germany by Frank Lampard which had not been given, saying it would have changed the game.

“Lampard’s goal was okay. When you get back to 2-2 the motivation is completely different but the third goal for Germany was crucial,” he said.