So it's Capello for England

SO it looks like it's going to be Capello for England. As I write the former Real Madrid and AC Milan manager is, apparently, dining with FA chief Brian Barwick and his side-kick Sir Trevor Brooking. We are told that an announcement could be made as early as Friday.
It would seem that Fabio Capello is another Barwick second choice, the "Special One" having declared himself not interested.
Barwick pretended that Steve McClaren was his first choice when we went through this farce a couple of years ago, but everyone knew he wasn't and look what happened.
There can be no denying Capello's ability or qualifications for the England job. In a way, it was the easy choice. A much more brave decision by the FA would have been to appoint an English manager.
My own choice, the infectious Harry Redknapp, was ruled out the minute the Old Bill went knocking on his door. In reality, he was never a serious candidate as far as the suits in Soho Square were concerned, but there was growing support for the Portsmouth boss, especially if he was coupled with a younger man such as Stuart Pearce.
I sincerely believe that most English supporters would prefer an Englishman to be running the national side, but you can't expect Barwick and his band of bland lemmings to take any notice of the fans. After all, we are only the ones who pay their highly inflated salaries and will, ultimately, be footing the bill for the Capello contract rumoured to be a mind-boggling £6 million a year.
We hear that Capello, who doesn't speak a word of English, is a tough disciplinarian. Look how he dealt with "Golden Balls" David Beckham when his celebrity status looked like getting out of hand at Real Madrid. Becks, to his credit, had enough strength of character to fight his way back into the Real team and regain his England status. I hope fabulous Fabio does the right thing and gives Beckham the chance to win his 100th cap when England play Switzerland in February. He at least deserves that.
So baring any last-minute embarrassments, which tend to happen in FA la-la land, Capello could be sat at his new desk in London next week. I wonder what will be in the in-tray? More interestingly, the contents of the out-tray could be even more revealing.
As good, loyal England supporters, I suppose we must give the new man a chance. I read that he's bringing his own coaching team with him but I hope that some home-grown talent might be recruited as well. Not sure whether it should be Alan Shearer, however. I'd stick with Pearce who seems to be far more passionate and committed to the beautiful game than the dour Geordie.
One encouraging prospect is that Capello, we are told, will have no truck with the prima donas and will not flinch from dropping Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard if they are unable to play together. Both of them could get the chop. There's a thought.
If Capello turns English football around and delivers a trophy for the first time for 40 years he will get God status on the sceptered isle. If he doesn't he will be yet another FA flawed appointment.
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt, eh?