Brooking: Capello could stay on

01 December 2011 09:16

Sir Trevor Brooking has refused to rule out completely the prospect of Fabio Capello remaining as England manager beyond Euro 2012.

Capello's £6million-a-year contract is due to expire in the summer and the Italian has already been linked with a number of high profile jobs, including at mega-rich Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.

Although Brooking insists the present "mindset" is for a home-grown coach, particularly as the National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton is due to open next year, he did not completely rule out the prospect of Capello being asked to stay on. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "Let's worry about that when it happens."

He added: "Fabio's contract ends in the summer and the mindset is for change but you never say never.

"It would be a nice problem, and one we have not had for 40 years. We are certainly hoping to do better this summer than we did in South Africa."

FA chairman David Bernstein has vowed not to make any decision until after the European Championships in order to ensure England are not distracted.

Given they have barely five weeks from the end of the European Championships until the first friendly of the new season, it is dubious that there will be no intense discussions on the matter amongst the Club England hierarchy, who will be responsible for making the final decision.

"If we could get someone home grown it would send out right message," said Brooking. "It would launch a new era and we do want a system where we have an English coach.

"But we don't want to lock it in. How many candidates are there? I am sure (Tottenham manager) Harry Redknapp would be high in the betting but we will look at it on merit at time.

"When it comes to the end of the season it will be clearer."

Source: PA