England manager Fabio Capello has ruled out the possibility that he will continue in the job after the Euro 2012 tournament, killing off speculation that recent good performances could prolong his stay.
The Italian’s reputation took a battering after England’s dismal World Cup performance, but his stock has bounced back after impressive victories against Bulgaria and Switzerland in Euro qualifiers this month.
The renewed success of his team had raised questions about whether Capello would try and stay on after the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine — but he moved late Wednesday to put an end to such talk.
Asked whether he would be leaving after Euro 2012, the 64-year-old responded: “Absolutely. Yes.”
“We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old — I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner,” he added.
England’s performances in the Euro qualifiers have yielded six points and seven goals, a result hailed as particularly impressive given the absence of skipper Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard through injury.
Another victory against Montenegro next month would put England in an good position to secure a place at the next European tournament.
