Fabio Capello resigned as England manager

Fabio Capello has resigned as England manager

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The great and the good of English football have given their reactions to Fabio Capello’s decision to resign as England manager.

Capello resigned because of a disagreement with the FA over the decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy because of his court case over an alleged racial slur towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand – a charge Terry denies.

Alan Smith, the former Arsenal and England striker, was surprised at what transpired at Wembley today.

“I was shocked, I’ve got to say,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Whenever an England manager leaves his post it always sends waves through the game. It’s not ideal at this stage.

“He made his feelings perfectly clear (about the John Terry situation). I didn’t expect him to resign.

“We don’t know what went on in the meeting and the FA may have forced his hand, I don’t know.

“He’s put in a lot of work to get us qualified and a few months in the future there is a big championship, which England do have a chance to do well in, I am surprised.”

Gary Neville was not surprised at the fact that Fabio Capello had resigned as England manager.

“I’m not surprised at the news,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Once there is a spark and the flames and it gets a bit of momentum, it’s very difficult to douse the flames and with England it’s not easy for every manager.

“I’ve seen very good managers come into this job. There is no other position like it.

“Capello had taken a brave decision. He probably felt undermined.

“From an England perspective and an FA perspective there won’t be any tears.

“There can be too much negativity surrounding the team.

“It’s time for us to build for 2014, 2016 and 2018 with Euro 2012 being used as a learning curve.

“I’m optimistic there is a bright future ahead.”

Former QPR manager Neil Warnock was delighted at the decision.

“I’m delighted – I think it’s a massive plus for England tonight that we’ve got this outcome,” he said.

“I just saw his first interview. I do not believe anybody can employ somebody that can’t speak the language. It’s just farcical.

“How are you going to motivate people during a game or half-time when you’ve got to use an interpreter is beyond me.”

England legend Paul Gascoigne fet Capello’s record was bloated by meaningless friendlies.

“(A win record of) 67 per cent is not a bad ratio for an England manager but they play so many friendlies now,” he said.

“It’s the tournaments that matters. His record is not fantastic.”