Fabio Capello has a reputation for getting his own way and he did so yesterday in securing annual wages in excess of £6 million for himself and his Italian cohorts. The figures caused some splutters from the FA board, yet Capello probably could have squeezed more out of the governing body as soon as José Mourinho dropped out of the running.

Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, regarded Capello and Mourinho as the outstanding candidates right from the start of a headhunting process that has been conducted with far greater success and alacrity than the previous search. Two years ago, Barwick set out for a world-class manager and ended up, via a misjudged trip to Portugal to land Luiz Felipe Scolari, with Steve McClaren.

Yesterday, only 23 days after England’s humiliation at Wembley at the hands of Croatia, he snared one of the world’s leading coaches, although he did have to make Capello the highest-paid international manager in the world and throw in some very lucrative bonuses. He also had to talk around those on the FA board who wondered if five Italian coaches were strictly necessary.

By way of appeasement, the FA has agreed to appoint an Englishman to the backroom staff, although it can be regarded as little more than window-dressing. A spanner in the works ishow one Italian cynic put it yesterday. His cynicism may be justified given the standard of English coaching.

Stuart Pearce cannot do two jobs and the word from Soho Square yesterday was that he is likely to continue with the England Under21 side. And it is hard to see the point of asking Alan Shearer or David Platt to help to lay down the cones on the training ground. The FA has chosen to go Italian and there is little point in pretending otherwise. The FA’s promise of “a root and branch” review of the England set-up, made in the aftermath of the defeat by Croatia, has quickly been forgotten amid hope that this is a new dawn for the national side.

The handling of the appointments did not come without criticism, however. Sir Dave Richards, the Premier League chairman, said yesterday: “What was all the rush about? This level of business should not be done over the phone. No one’s objecting to Capello - far from it. But it would have made so much more sense to call a board meeting for today, tomorrow or Monday.”

So what can we expect from Capello’s England? For his first game, against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6, David Beckham looks certain to lead them out on his 100th appearance but the Italian must decide whether John Terry is going to keep the captain’s armband on a permanent basis. He, like Sven-Göran Eriksson, is likely to be surprised by the fascination with the captaincy.

According to Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, it should be one of his easiest decisions. Grant yesterday gave his wholehearted support to the defender after reports that he may be demoted. “You will not find a better captain than him and I don’t think that Fabio Capello is stupid, he knows that,” Grant said.

Although Terry featured in recent tabloid revelations, Grant maintained that the player is an excellent role model. And the FA has insisted that the decision will be left to the new manager. “He is a great captain 24 hours a day,” he said. “With any player you can find someone who will say something not so good about them. But if you ask managers if they want a captain like John Terry, everybody would say yes.”

Statement of intent

The Football Association has today appointed Fabio Capello as England manager. Capello will begin work on Monday 7 January. He has signed a 4½-year contract.

The appointment was made following discussions with Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, and Sir Trevor Brooking, the director of football development, at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. This was then ratified unanimously by the FA Board on Thursday.

Brian Barwick said: “When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello, we have that man.

“Fabio is a winner. His record over the last two decades speaks for itself. At every club he has managed, Fabio has won the league title.”

Sir Trevor Brooking added: “Fabio Capello is widely recognised as one of the world’s finest coaches. He has the respect of everyone in football.”

Capello’s backroom staff will consist of assistants Franco Baldini and Italo Galbiati, goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi and fitness coach Massimo Neri. He will also look to integrate an English presence into the coaching set-up.

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