Capello: I’m in for the long haul

FABIO CAPELLO has revealed he intends to remain England manager until 2012.

The Italian’s contract is not due to expire until after the next European Championships but there has been plenty of speculation that he will quit once England’s World Cup campaign is over in South Africa next year.

However, ahead of today’s friendly with Slovenia at Wembley, the 61-year-old has claimed there is no intention to quit early and that a second major tournament in Poland and Ukraine remains on his radar.

“My contract ends in 2012 and I want to respect it,” he said.

“It is not only a matter for me but also the FA but in my mind the target is to respect my contract.”

Given the swift sea-change in England’s fortunes — going from group-stage elimination in the Euro 2008 qualifiers to seven straight wins to take them to the brink of reaching the World Cup — it is a fair bet the FA would want Capello to stay.

Of more immediate concern for the Italian is securing a place in South Africa, which England will do if they beat Slaven Bilic’s Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. In that sense, Slovenia, with their swift counter-attacking style, represent the perfect warm-up.

John Terry was able to play a full part in training after suffering a minor groin complaint in midweek but Rio Ferdinand is missing as he nurses a groin problem.

There are a couple of issues for Capello to solve though, namely who starts on the right-hand side of midfield and who will partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

The first conundrum appears to lie between Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, while Jermain Defoe is tipped to edge Emile Heskey out of the striking slot.

For Capello, the most important thing is he has good options. “I have really good forwards who have always done well with the national team,” he said. “Wayne Rooney will play but I also have (Peter) Crouch, (Carlton) Cole, Defoe and (Emile) Heskey. They can all play with Rooney, which is very important.”