Villas-Boas: Capello a hard act to follow

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas says the Football Association will struggle to find an England manager of the calibre of Fabio Capello.

Capello, 65, resigned from his position as England boss on Wednesday, four months out from the start of Euro 2012.

The Italian decided to step down after not being consulted on the FA’s decision to strip Chelsea’s John Terry of the England captaincy.

Villas-Boas, speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Everton, said Capello would be hard to replace.

“It surprised me for sure. Firstly, it will be very, very difficult for the FA to find a manager of Fabio’s CV because he is one of the best managers in the world,” the Portuguese boss said.

“He has been successful at most of the clubs and country he has managed.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is favourite to replace Capello, and Villas-Boas said the 64-year-old deserved the position after years of hard work.

“I think I would congratulate him (Redknapp) for sure. He has had an outstanding career made better through time with continuous success,” he said.

“I think it would be the culmination of a fantastic career if he took over the national team.”

Chelsea travel to Goodison Park to meet an Everton side unbeaten in their last four league outings and 11th in the league.

Villas-Boas warned his team to be wary of the threat David Moyes’ side would pose.

“We never underestimate Everton because our record there is not very impressive,” Villas-Boas said.

“It is a difficult place to go as you know and a team that has made a great transfer market without a lot of buys, but making the right buys.”