Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello
source
Name	Fabio Capello
Fullname	Fabio Capello
Birth date	1946-06-18
Birth place	San Canzian d'Isonzo, Italy
Height	1.78 m
Position	Midfielder
Youthclubs	Juventus
Years1	1964–1970
Clubs1	SPAL
Years2	1970–1976
Clubs2	Roma
Years3	1976–1977
Clubs3	Juventus
Nationalteam	Italy U21
Manageryears1	1982–1986
Managerclubs1	AC Milan (youth)

Fabio Capello is an Italian former professional footballer turned manager noted for domestic success in Serie A, major trophies with AC Milan and Real Madrid, and a tenure as manager of the England national football team. Renowned for pragmatic tactics and strict discipline, he influenced players across Italy, Spain, and England and remains a pivotal figure in late-20th and early-21st century European football.

Early life and playing career

Born in San Canzian d'Isonzo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Capello began in the youth ranks of Juventus F.C. before making senior appearances for SPAL 1907 and becoming prominent at AS Roma where he won the Coppa Italia. As a right-sided defensive midfielder and utility player he combined stamina with tactical awareness, contributing to Roma's competitive campaigns against rivals such as AC Milan, FC Internazionale Milano, and AFC Fiorentina. He later returned to Juventus and featured in matches against opponents like S.S. Lazio and SSC Napoli and played under managers influenced by figures such as Nereo Rocco and Helenio Herrera. Capello earned caps at youth international level and later transitioned into coaching during the late 1970s and early 1980s with roles in youth development and technical staff at clubs including AC Milan and AS Roma.

Managerial career

Capello's managerial breakthrough came with AC Milan in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he guided squads including players like Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Marco van Basten, and Ruud Gullit to consecutive Serie A titles and continental competition under the ownership of Silvio Berlusconi. He later managed AS Roma and achieved a Scudetto with a squad featuring Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta, and Cafú. Capello took charge of Juventus and returned to AC Milan for a second spell before accepting an appointment at Real Madrid where he led teams with stars such as Raúl González, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo to a La Liga championship. He was appointed manager of the England national football team in 2007, overseeing qualification for UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, managing internationals including Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and John Terry. After leaving England he returned to manage AC Milan and later held consultancy and director roles at clubs including Real Madrid and worked with national federations and media outlets such as Sky Italia and BBC Sport.

Tactical philosophy and coaching style

Capello emphasized organization, defensive solidity, and disciplined positional play influenced by Italian traditions associated with coaches like Arrigo Sacchi, Giovanni Trapattoni, and Carlo Ancelotti. His teams often employed compact formations prioritizing counterattacks against opponents such as FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. Training regimes reflected methods used in elite clubs including AC Milan and Real Madrid, focusing on physical conditioning, set-piece routines, and man-marking responsibility while integrating attacking talents like Clarence Seedorf, Kaká, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Capello's selection policies and tactical adjustments were frequently compared to contemporaries such as José Mourinho and Alex Ferguson.

Controversies and disciplinary issues

Capello's career included high-profile disputes and disciplinary incidents: his time at Real Madrid involved tensions with board members and media scrutiny over squad rotation, echoing controversies at AC Milan and AS Roma over player management and transfers involving figures like Flavio Briatore and Silvio Berlusconi. As England manager he faced debate over selection decisions involving Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, and Ashley Cole, and was criticized during the 2010 FIFA World Cup for tactical conservatism after a defeat to Germany. Domestic disciplinary matters included episodes in Serie A with fines and sanctions handed down by authorities such as Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio and refereeing controversies involving officials from Associazione Italiana Arbitri.

Honors and awards

As manager Capello won multiple Serie A titles with AC Milan and AS Roma, a La Liga title with Real Madrid, and domestic cups including the Coppa Italia. Individually he received recognitions from organizations like UEFA and was inducted into halls of fame and award lists alongside contemporaries such as Marcello Lippi and Fabio Cannavaro. His squads competed in competitions including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, and he was repeatedly named in seasonal best-manager shortlists from bodies like FIFA and La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Personal life

Capello's personal life intersected with public figures and institutions in Italy and abroad; he has family ties to Friuli and has been linked socially and professionally with club presidents and directors including Silvio Berlusconi, Florentino Pérez, and Franco Sensi. Outside football he has appeared in media for outlets such as Sky Italia and BBC Sport and has participated in events organized by entities like UEFA and the Italian Footballers' Association. He maintains residences in Milan and elsewhere in Italy and has been involved in mentorship and consultancy roles following his active management career.

Category:Italian football managers Category:AC Milan managers Category:Real Madrid managers Category:England national football team managers