Capello on course for FA row over Euro 2012
Published 23:00 11/09/10 By Paul Smith
Fabio Capello is on a direct collision course with the Premier League and top clubs over his demand to have a four-week break prior to the Euro 2012 finals.
England coach Capello believes he needs almost a month to prepare his squad properly if they reach the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
He knows he blundered taking his players to an Austrian boot camp for two weeks prior to this summer’s World Cup and said in hindsight he should have allowed them to go on a two-week holiday.
Several teams – including the German side who destroyed England in the last 16 in South Africa – managed to secure a month’s break.
In contrast the England players looked exhausted following a fatigue-sapping campaign in domestic and European football.
But the finals in two years’ time kick off on June 8. The Champions League Final that season is scheduled for May 19 – just 20 days before.
There could also be a clash with the final fixtures in the Premier League and the FA Cup Final.
The Premier League – who have refused to consider a winter break because of fixture congestion – are highly unlikely to entertain the idea of bringing the domestic campaign forward to allow for an extended break.
However, Capello feels that unless his squad of players are given time to recharge their batteries before joining up it is highly likely they face similar problems that dogged their World Cup campaign.
