England's dismal 0-0 draw in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley this week prompted new calls for manager, Fabio Capello, to be sacked. Critics of the Italian coach have been less vociferous over the past month after England's campaign to qualify for the European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine got off to the best possible start with victories over Bulgaria and Switzerland. Back-to-back wins was just what Capello needed after widespread criticism and calls for his dismissal following England's World Cup debacle in South Africa, which the FA chose to ignore, largely due to the fact that parting company with Capello would cost in the tune of £12m due to the his contract extension signed before the World Cup! Instead, the governing body of English football deemed the man who continues to struggle to speak the same language as his employers and players the man to guide the national team into another major tournament.
Those responsible for Capello's contract and the decision to stick with him were probably blowing a sigh of relief with maximum points from the team's first two qualifiers but the performance and result from Tuesday's visit of Montenegro was enough for the calls for Capello's head to resurface. Brian Woolnough is one such example in the media, with the Daily Star's football writer makes a good case for why the FA should get rid of Capello sooner rather than later in his article SACK FABIO CAPELLO: TIME IS UP FOR BOSS AS ENGLAND GO FROM BAD TO WORSE.
Woolnough makes a good argument about qualification for Euro 2012 not being guaranteed and no signs of a new team emerging - something that was promised in the aftermath of the abysmal showing of the so-called 'golden generation' of players at the World Cup.
As it stands, only Joe Hart, Adam Johnson and Ashley Young can be considered inclusions in the starting XI by Capello that would suggest he is looking to bring about change. The other eight starters have all been in and around the squad for some time and each to a man can be held partly responsible for flopping in South Africa.
If England do qualify for the Euros, the backbone of the team on which Capello relies so much will all be playing in what is sure to their last major tournaments; Ashley Cole will be 31, Steven Gerrard (32), Rio Ferdinand (34), John Terry (31), Gareth Barry (31), Peter Crouch (31) - that is over half of the current starting line-up that will be over the age of 30, hardly progress!
What's more, Capello has already stated that he will step down following the European Championships, leaving the next manager with the task of rebuilding. Add to this the fact Capello tried to tempt Emile Heskey out of international retirement ahead of the Montenegro game before handing Bolton striker, Kevin Davies, his international debut at the age of 33, leaving England fans needing no further evidence that the Italian has no intention of changing his agenda any time soon.
With Montenegro and England seemingly in a two horse race for the one qualification place available in Group G, an appearance in the tournament co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine should be achievable, even under the current cloud of uncertainty. However, the same was said about qualifying for Euro 2008 when Steve McClaren and we all know what happened there.
England's next qualifier is against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in March before playing Switzerland and Wales at Wembley with an away game against Bulgaria and the final group game in Montenegro next October to decide their fate.
It isn't too late to sack Capello should the FA decide that the immediate and long term future of the England team is more important than hurting the pride of those who appointed him and a hefty seven figure pay-off. There would be no shortage of English candidates for any subsequent vacancy and it would make far more sense for the rebuilding process to start now under the guidance of a long term appointment than abrupt and sudden change in the summer of 2012, which could have a negative impact on qualification for the 2014 World Cup. If a replacement was sough before the Wales game next March, there would also be no reason why England should suffer in its remaining qualifiers so there is still time for the FA to make that change.
However, whilst the fans may not like it, Capello is going to be around for sometime and whilst we hope that he proves us all wrong, we've had long enough to conclude that is unlikely and no doubt the same debate and dismay will be had on several occasions before England's Euro 2012 fate has been decided.
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