Soccer, England, euro 2012, Roy Hodgson, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Capello
The former England coach Fabio Capello refused to put down his guns on the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney following a spat between the two football icons. Fabio Capello claims that Wayne Rooney only performs for Manchester United because the only person who understands him is the club’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fabio Capello used his subtle powers to convey this message in a recent press release that primarily analyzed England’s performance at Euro 2012. Fabio Capello hit back at Wayne Rooney after the young England international criticized the former AC Milan manager of mishandling the Three Lions because of his poor English.
Wayne Rooney told reporters that England’s under par performance during Fabio Capello’s era was because the Italian failed to convey his tactics to the team. The former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello, who quit as manager of England after a row with the Football Association countered and said that England’s poor form was because of Wayne Rooney.
“After watching the last game (the Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat by Italy) I think that Rooney understands only Scottish,” said Fabio Capello. “That's because he only plays well in Manchester, where Sir Alex Ferguson speaks Scottish.”
These remarks from Fabio Capello will have struck a chord with many in regard to Wayne Rooney’s lack lustrous form at Euro 2012. The 26-year-old striker, who was banned for the first two games of Euro 2012 following an incident in October last year, played for England against Ukraine and Italy but failed to leave a prominent mark.
Roy Hodgson, the man who succeeded Fabio Capello as the manager of England, also believes that Wayne Rooney could have done a better job for England at Euro 2012. During a news conference this week, Roy Hodgson’s commented on England’s performance at Euro 2012. Roy Hodgson also said that Wayne Rooney let down England and the forward’s fitness level was not an excuse for his mediocre form.
Although, Roy Hodgson concurred with Fabio Capello’s opinion on Wayne Rooney’s form the England manager was furious about the Italian’s attack on his striker.
“Capello is entitled to his opinions, I suppose,” Roy Hodgson told talkSPORT radio. “I don't know what relationship he would have had with Wayne but I always think it's a bit cheap to kid on a player who was so anxious to do well.”
“His attitude (at Euro 2012) was magnificent. He was putting in extra work in training because he was concerned he was behind the others having missed the first two games through suspension. He was trying to do extra work and we were trying to put the brakes on. His desire to do well was enormous.
“In the final game (against Italy) he, along with one or two other players, didn't play to the level he can but that's what football is about. If every player was a robot and played at the same level in every game then football would be a very simple game and we wouldn't need coaches.”
