England has ´mental block,´ says Capello

[Brasil]

England has ´mental block,´ says Capello


Written by: AFP

	Fabio Capello, the favourite to become the next manager of England´s national team, seen here in 2006, said Thursday that he thought England´s players suffered from a "mental block" when playing international matches

LONDON (AFP) - Fabio Capello, the favourite to become the next manager of England's national team, said Thursday that he thought England's players suffered from a "mental block" when playing international matches.

The Italian met with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA confirmed on Wednesday, with British newspapers expecting an announcement of Capello's appointment within 24 hours.

"There is tremendous difference in the attitude they show from one game to the next," Capello told The Sun tabloid.

"How can players of the level of (David) Beckham or (Michael) Owen have performances so different when they play for their national team?

"It's clear the shirt is very heavy even for those great champions. The manager has a fundamental role to play in this situation. He has to be more of a psychologist than a tactician or a technician. It's clear there is a mental block -- otherwise how can you explain their elimination from Euro 2008?"

Steve McClaren was fired last month after England's 3-2 defeat against Croatia at Wembley meant they failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

Capello continued: "We managers ask ourselves how can England, with the players they have, not qualify for the 2008 European Championships. The English team, much like the Spanish team, wins very little despite having some very good players."

[Cristiano Best 07]

I must disagree. I read In Beckham's book something I believe is true. He says that the national side holds back because htey have to play seasons in England. He goes onto say that is why the Brazilians r so good. Most of them play club ball outside of Brazil.

[swift]

I think that Capello may well be right. Our players, I am English, freeze when it matters most. Maybe there are too many excuses?

[Brasil]

Right man, too many excuses, they just didn't have it this year, simple as that, good point.

[jeffbrowne74]

yeh i reckon capello is right. He was right in saying spanish team achieves little esp with quality of players they have. For england, it was poor managerial decisions and nothing was learnt after world cup defeat. Yes they had poor run of injuries eg rooney, terry, lampard. Leaving beckham out was huge mistake after world cup. Beckham is great supplier to the likes of owen, rooney and crouch. I reckon capello should give chris kirkland a shot. He is young and been overlooked alot. i feel westhams dean ashton will be great upfront provide injury free. With lampard and cole in consistent form and fully fit Terry, woodgate and ferdinand, i think England will be serious force next year