Former England boss Capello takes on Chinese challenge

Fabio Capello: Outlines England's problems

Fabio Capello: Outlines England's problems

Former England, Real Madrid and AC Milan manager Fabio Capello is the latest high-profile coach to move to the Chinese Super League after signing a contract with Jiangsu Suning.

The 70-year-old Italian, who was the England boss for four years before resigning in February 2012, follows in the footsteps of the likes of countrymen Marcello Lippi and Fabio Cannavaro by taking the reins at a Chinese club.

A statement published via Jiangsu’s official Instagram account on Sunday read: “Today we have signed a working contract with Mr Fabio Capello. He will be the head coach of our team since today. Welcome Fabio!”

 

The Chinese Super League, which has attracted players including Paulinho, Carlos Tevez and Graziano Pelle with big-money deals in recent years, boasts many well-experienced and accomplished coaches on its benches.

World Cup-winning Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari – once the Chelsea manager – coaches reigning Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande while Andre Villas-Boas, Gus Poyet and Felix Magath are other former Premier League bosses currently trying their luck in the Far East.

Capello’s fellow Italian Lippi helped lead Guangzhou to the top of the Chinese game and is now in charge of the national team which is, however, struggling to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Capello managed the hosts of the next football world championships for three years after leaving England but had been out of work since July 2015 following his sacking by the Russian federation.

The Gorizian tactician made his name at Milan, winning Serie A four times before clinching the LaLiga crown with Real during a first spell in Madrid.

He returned to his homeland to win the Scudetto with Roma and took control of Juventus for two ill-fated seasons during which the Old Lady fell foul of the Calciopoli scandal.

A return to Real yielded another Spanish championship and in December 2007 England appointed him as Steve McClaren’s successor.

Under his supervision the Three Lions reached the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, exiting at the hands of Germany, and Capello stepped down two years later due to a disagreement about the stripping of the England captaincy from John Terry.