ROME (AFP) – England coach Fabio Capello has announced that the England post will be his last in football as he plans to retire from the dugout following Euro 2012.
The 64-year-old — who was considered fortunate to remain in the post after England’s disappointing exit in the World Cup quarter-finals — said at a book signing by a friend in Milan on Friday that he was too old to consider another coaching job.
“At the moment I think of nothing else but Euro-2012 with England,” said Capello, who is seen by many as one of Europe’s greatest club coaches.
“After that I will go into retirement.
“Unfortunately I am old, I no longer have the time: this will be my last experience on the bench.”
Capello, who guided AC Milan to four league titles and the 1994 Champions League final where they overwhelmed Barcelona 4-0, has been England coach since 2008.
While he easily qualified them for the World Cup finals, he received heavy criticism for how they performed in South Africa – eventually losing 4-1 to Germany – and was perhaps saved from the sack because he had extended his contract prior to the finals.
While they are unbeaten in their three Euro 2012 qualifiers they were held 0-0 by minnows Montenegro on Tuesday at Wembley and trail the Balkan country by three points, though, they have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.