Fabio Capello has insisted he had no alternative except hope for a public reconciliation with deposed England skipper Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford recently.
Capello claimed Ferdinand snubbed the gesture by opting to watch Manchester United's Champions League win over Marseille from the sanctuary of Wayne Rooney's private box.
"Sorry, where is one place that you know where you can meet Rio Ferdinand? It was impossible," said Capello. "I waited for him in the directors box just before the game started, but it didn't happen."
Currently nursing a calf problem that threatens the remainder of his season, Ferdinand has to watch England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff knowing he will not regain the captain's armband, which was only passed to him in the first place 13 months ago.
Ferdinand and Capello still have not spoken, which the Italian understands that may have caused some angst for the 32-year-old.
"Maybe I made a mistake," said Capello.
"It is possible to do everything better. I don't like to speak about the captaincy on the phone. I prefer to speak personally."
The furore has echoes of a declaration in August during a TV interview that David Beckham would not be selected for his country again without having spoken to the player who has made 120 appearances for his country.
Indeed, had it not been for that previous public relations failure hinting at a general communication breakdown, it would be tempting to think Capello has lost interest in the job completely.
"If my mind's not OK to drive this team, I go home," he said. "We have played three games, we have seven points and we've played some games very well."
Source: PA
