FA must 'arry up and appoint Redknapp to forget latest mess.

Fabio Capello sensationally resigned as England manager this evening leaving England without a manager and a captain just four months before Euro 2012.

The Italian decided to step down this evening after talks with FA chairman David Bernstein and secretary Alex Horne over comments made to Italian TV over the decision to strip the captaincy armband from John Terry after allegations of the Chelsea defender racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

On Sunday evening Capello was quoted as saying he 'absolutely disagreed' with the decision to take the armband away from Terry as he was still under suspicion and had not actually been found guilty as of yet. The comments from Capello were badly timed and were frowned upon fiercely by the FA who would have wanted to avoid this type of controversy just months before a major tournament.

With Capello appearing to be undermined by the FA as they made the decision without the managers opinion, Capello made the decision tonight that he could no longer manage the national side and resigned with immediate effect. Reports this evening from Italy say that Capello has said that the FA "really insulted me and damaged my authority". Regardless of people's opinion on the Italian, he is England's most successful manager based on win percentage with a 66.7% rate.

Capello's decision to resign has come as a huge shock to many fans although the feeling from the majority fans was 'Bring on Harry Redknapp', however it is clear that Capello did have his supporters with retired groundsman Ray Baker saying "The FA have insulted Capello's intelligence, he did a good job with the England team".

Harry Redknapp, cleared today of tax evasion is the favorite to take over the job on what could only be explained as a dream day for the current Tottenham manager. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said on Redknapp: "He started the day facing prison, he ends it in heaven." Despite Redknapp seeming to be the only candidate there are other names that are already being mentioned. Stuart Pearce, Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Gareth Southgate and Gary Lineker have all been linked with the post.

England have done what they do best and shot themselves in the foot just months before a major tournament, however, this self implosion seems to be repairable should England have a successful European Championships.

What do you think? Who will England turn to next?

Capello comment's couldn't have come at a worse time.

“I absolutely disagree with the decision to remove John Terry as the captain”. These were the comments made by England manager Fabio Capello yesterday on Italian TV which has caused fury at the FA headquarters this morning.

Last week the decision was made by the FA committee at their Wembley headquarters to remove the prestigious armband from the Chelsea defender after his trial for allegations of racial abuse against Anton Ferdinand was delayed until the 9^th July 2012, one week after the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

With the hearing delayed, FA bosses believed they couldn’t allow a player who is up against such allegations lead the country in a major competition, however, strangely it emerged afterwards that England manager Fabio Capello was not involved in discussions whether to remove the armband from Terry. After the announcement, it was made clear that Capello supported the FA’s decision and would begin the search for his new captain who would hopefully lift the European Championship trophy on July 1^st; however, comments on Italian TV from Capello have since indicated he is not supportive of the decision.

Capello could have landed himself in huge trouble after the remarks with former FA chairman David Davies saying he might have ‘breached his contract’, the punishment for that obviously being dismissal. It is unlikely the FA will dismiss Capello, in fact they should be moving heaven and earth to avoid that situation as a calm build up to a competition would be what the Association hope for. Capello’s argument is that Terry as not yet been found guilty and until he is so then he should remain as captain.

One argument that continues to show its face against the boss is that Capello is undermining whoever is asked to take over the role. While it is true Capello stripped the armband from Terry before over the incident of the player sleeping with team mate Wayne Bridge girlfriend, Capello clearly supports his skipper in this bitter row which could cause dressing room unrest, particularly as Terry’s central defender partner at the Euros could be Anton Ferdinand’s brother Rio.

While it is highly unlikely Capello will get the sack over his comments, it is something the FA bosses will take extremely seriously as again it shows a lack of unity in the run up to another major tournament and Capello can expect some punishment, however nothing more than a quiet word from David Bernstein along the lines of ‘Just focus on winning Euro 2012’ is expected.

Was Capello right to say what he did? Should the Italian be sacked?

As always let me know your thoughts?

England will have to leave at the 'Krakow' dawn if they don't want to miss out on the Quarters.

Group D but not the group of death for England seemed to be the reaction yesterday as the 16 teams that have qualified for next year’s 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine learned their fate for next summer’s event.

With the possibility of facing Spain, Portugal and Netherlands, Fabio Capello would have been pleased to avoid all of them as England were drawn alongside France, Ukraine and Sweden. Although still a tough group, England and Capello will be expecting to progress from the group and set up a quarter final against Spain, Italy, Croatia or possibly the Republic of Ireland.

Group A would have been a dream for Capello as that sees Czech Republic, Greece, Poland and Russia all face each other for a place in the quarter finals. England must overcome a logistical problem of facing all their games in Ukraine which entails a 930 mile trip to Donetsk while the trip to Kiev will be a 535 mile from their Krakow base in Poland. Capello said yesterday that England won’t change their base for the competition as the facilities in Krakow were superb and he will be looking to avoid any controversy that followed his decision to base his side hidden away in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup.

Capello this week underlined the fact that this would be his last tournament in charge of England despite suggestions from Trevor Brooking earlier in the week that the FA could offer Capello an extension to his contract.

The draw yesterday will offer hope to England and Capello that finally they can end their long wait for a trophy. Capello would love to end his international management career on a high and what a way it would be to end by lifting a trophy for England.  Should England avoid defeat against France in their opening game on the 11^th June then I would fully expect them to progress from the group and reach the quarter finals.

We will find out this week if Wayne Rooney’s suspension will be reduced from three games which would give England a massive boost ahead of the tournament.

What did you make of the draw? Will England progress? Should Capello take Rooney if his suspension isn’t reduced?

As always let me know.