Wenger convinced Fabio was in the right

Arsene Wenger has defended Fabio Capello’s stand over John Terry, insisting the Italian should have had the final say over whether the Chelsea defender remained as England captain or not.

Capello resigned on Wednesday after the Football Association board went over his head to strip Terry of the captaincy, with the player facing trial on a racist abuse charge in July, after Euro 2012. Terry denies a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

Capello made clear in an interview with Italian TV on Sunday that he completely disagreed with the FA’s decision, and Arsenal manager Wenger said yesterday: “When the decision came out from the FA, I said that the choice of captain is down to the manager. You [the manager] pick your team, you choose your captain.

“I did not expect such an extreme situation but it looks like there was already some turbulence there and that was just the final straw. I am sad that Capello leaves four months before such an important competition, it is a big blow for England and I am sad for him.”

Wenger is considered an outside bet with bookmakers to replace Capello, with Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp the overwhelming favourite.

The Frenchman believes the FA should look for an English candidate, adding: “I have always been straight in [suggesting an Englishman should be next] — not because I think an English manager can do a better job than any foreign guy, just because you represent your country and it is better if the manager is from there.

“Especially in a big football country like England.

“It’s now down to the FA to make the right decision and you will not be surprised when I tell you I do not want to interfere with that.”

Meanwhile, Stuart Pearce says he had no hesitation agreeing to take temporary charge of England following Capello’s shock resignation.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein confirmed yesterday England Under-21 boss Pearce would manage the senior team for the February 29 friendly with Holland.

Pearce, who has been on the England coaching staff for five years and was Capello’s assistant for four of them, last year ruled out putting himself forward to succeed the Italian after Euro 2012.

But he had no qualms stepping into the breach on a temporary basis.

Bernstein said: “I want to commend Stuart Pearce. I spoke to him a little earlier and, as you might expect from Stuart, his first thought was for his country and for managing his country without any conditions at all.

“He just said, ‘If you would like me to do it, I want to do it’.”