Will England live to regret losing Capello?

It has been a real interesting few days in English football starting with Harry Redknapp being cleared of tax evasion (despite having an offshore account in his dogs name).

Then on the very same day it was announced that Fabio Capello had resigned from his post as England manager.

Naturally, since then we have had the usual touting of various names flying around but probably for the first time in a very long time….Or maybe since Terry Venables, another former controversial Tottenham manager was touted as the new England manager in 1994, we have an overwhelming favourite.

It seems as though everyone and their uncle is in agreement that Redknapp should be the new boss leading the team into EURO2012. Maybe, but in my eyes England under Capello had a huge chance of adding to their one major tournament win.

I personally think due to the language barrier and the fact that English fans have always wanted an English manager, they have never really appreciated Capello.

His record, stretched over a number of years speaks for itself, even if his World Cup adventure with England was less than impressive.

Harry Redknapp’s club record, achievements and experience are virtually non existent compared to what Capello has done in his career.

Redknapp has done extremely well since he joined Tottenham in 2008. He took them from the relegation zone into the Champions League after only a season and ahalf in charge

after only a season and a half in charge.

He has spent money, and although he has an eye for a player and knows how to build a squad, these qualities are not necessarily required in international football.

When it comes to picking an England squad most will agree on about 17/18 of the 23 players for Euro 2012.

Many say Redknapp is a great man manager and knows when to put an arm around a player to motivate them. This is true but how much difference does this really make at the highest level of international football?

Although many may feel this is what the English national team players needs, is that really enough to level the playing fields against superior experience and supreme tactical ability?

We all know football is very much a confidence game and it plays a big part in a players performance and a teams success.

Thing is, international level is supposed to be the highest level of football, if you have to put your arm around players that are representing their country then there is a serious problem.

I believe the higher the level in football, the more the tactics of the manager makes a difference. Redknapp is a very good motivational manager, and sometimes this can balance it out, but what if he comes up against another good manager with great motivational skills.

Or a manager who is a superior tactician? This could be the difference when it comes to winning and losing a tournament.

I know England failed miserably in the World Cup but I feel the English national team were used to playing a very basic way for years and found it hard to get used to Capello’s ultra technical and tactical way.

Since the World Cup, I thought they were just about coming to terms with this style of play. More importantly they seemed more versatile and had a plan B and C with alternative formations, something England has never had previously.

I feel this is imperative if you have ambitions of winning a major tournament.

To me it is no surprise the much travelled Bobby Robson has come the closet to winning a tournament with England.

His experience and achievements were only bettered by Capello. Past managers such as Terry Venables, Graham Taylor, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Steve Mclaren and even Sven-Goran Eriksson’s achievements and experience at the highest level pale in comparison.

Losing Capello and bringing in another manager (albeit English) at this point could ruin all that progress.

The players will now have to adapt to a new way of playing. An English manager could bridge that gap but you can’t buy experience at the highest level, something Capello had in abundance.

I am sure Harry’s man management style will go down well amongst the players, staff and the media but only time will tell whether he really has enough, guile, experience and know how to end England’s long wait for a second major trophy.