FIFA Updates

England manager Fabio Capello says off-the-field scandal will not distract him from the biggest challenge of his life.

News emerged this week that the hotel meeting room used by the national side in preparation for their friendly against Egypt may have been bugged.

The Football Association is reviewing security procedures following the incident – leaving Capello to concentrate on the important matter of this summer’s World Cup.

“It’s a challenge always to be England manager, but the challenge for me is always important because, at my age, without a challenge I stay home and can go on holiday,” he said.

Dreams

“I like the challenge and this will be the most important challenge of my life. To be England manager was one of my dreams and I am really happy to be England manager.

“I would not swap my position with (Italy coach) Marcello Lippi, I prefer to be England manager.”

Despite his enthusiasm at being at the helm of the England squad, the Italian admits he was not expecting to deal with quite so much controversy away from the pitch.

“Yes, usually my job was to have to decide on the pitch, not outside the pitch. It’s a new job for me,” he said.

“My job when I was manager of Milan, Juve, Roma or Madrid, I try to win always. For me it’s the same now as England manager.

Focus

“I am focused to find the best way and we are one of the best teams in the World Cup. We hope to arrive at the semi-finals, minimum, and then, after a lot of years, win the World Cup.

“We have a good team, good players and at this moment we think we can beat all of the teams because we can play at the same level of the best teams in the world.”

Capello is now hoping to focus on matters on the pitch, in a period which will see his decisions come under more scrutiny than ever before.

To make matters even more difficult for the 63-year-old, his squad-selection will heavily depend on how far his England players progress in other tournaments.

He explained: “The last game of the Premier League is on May 9, but the FA Cup final is on May 15 and then I hope one of the English teams is in the Champions League final on May 22, so I have to select my squad at three different moments.”

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