• International football

Capello calm about Mourinho claims

ESPN staff
March 28, 2011
Fabio Capello is far from perturbed by talk about his position © Getty Images
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Fabio Capello is unfazed by claims from Jose Mourinho that he was "hours" away from becoming England manager.

Mourinho claims he came close to replacing Steve McClaren as manager towards the end of 2007, only to have a change of heart at the 11th hour. The Real Madrid boss' claims have led some to suggest that Capello was not the preferred choice of the Football Association.

The FA has cast doubt on Mourinho's comments, while Capello was not worried by the suggestions that he was not first choice.

"Fabio was our first choice for England manager," said an FA spokesman. "We have made that clear from the outset."

The talk about being second choice is not a concern for Capello, who said: "It does not matter to me.

"Every time a club or a different national team decides to choose a manager, they decide to speak with a lot of managers. It's normal. It's not different."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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