To Fabio Capello’s impressive array of talents, add the ability to learn from history. In Zagreb yesterday, he claimed to have got his prime objectives out of the World Cup fixtures meeting, arranging September matches a year apart against the group seeds, Croatia, the team that removed England from qualification for the 2008 European Championship.

As expected, England announced a resounding victory for their new man, even if Croatian sources suggested there was one element of compromise, but by and large Capello left town a winner, having negotiated to play the toughest opponents at a time in the season when he believes English players are at their fittest. In doing so, he hoped to avoid the bad luck that befell his predecessor, Steve McClaren, whose matches against Croatia came in October and November, at stages in the campaign when a heavy domestic and Champions League fixture list left his squad pathetically vulnerable.

FA officials had already expressed admiration for Capello’s addiction to detail and strategy, saying he paid more attention to mapping the fixture process than either McClaren or Sven-Göran Eriksson. In this way he no doubt hoped to avoid the pitfalls that led to England’s recent pratfalls, with McClaren missing Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen in Zagreb and John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Owen and Wayne Rooney at Wembley. Capello’s Midas touch does not extend to being able to guarantee his players’ health, but by timing his biggest tests for early in the season he at least hoped to play the odds.

Croatia resisted the September fixtures, knowing the Champions League programme is a greater hindrance to England, but ultimately compromised in exchange for deciding the order of play. Capello wanted England to be at home in 2008 and away in 2009, but consented the games be played the other way around. Both countries left the table feeling like winners and Capello made the last flight home.

It was a close-run thing, though. The meeting convened at 9.30am and seven hours later was still going strong. Ukraine, the third strongest team in the group, were particularly awkward and on several occasions looked to have driven negotiations to an impasse. An intense afternoon session avoided the lottery of a Fifa draw, however, and while Capello has the odd frustration - he could probably do without sending his players out as late as June 10 next year, when the visit to Andorra follows the epic trip to Kazakhstan - it was largely a good day for the new manager. Now down to the nitty-gritty.

Administrative duties can only detain him for so long and between now and February 6 he will have to put into practice what he has gleaned from his brief immersion in the English game. Capello will have watched 15 of 20 Barclays Premier League teams in action by that stage and should have more idea of what is at his disposal. Most significantly, he will know how comfortable he feels in appointing an England captain, whether he favours a stopgap, which will allow him time to get to know his players before making a decision, or whether one man already stands out as a leader. Injury to Terry has left McClaren’s captain doubtful for the game with Switzerland and that could point to a compromise candidate.

Step forward David Beckham, who may be given the chance to lead his country a last time on the occasion of his 100th cap, while Capello gets a feel for the men under his command. Beckham would be a popular choice, enabling Capello to give the final decision the thought it deserves. Far from giving the honour for one match just to play to the gallery, Capello sincerely believes the status of an England captain is too important for the decision to be rushed. Beckham’s temporary installation could suit his devices as he assesses the other candidates.

“The captaincy is a very important issue for England,” Capello said. “There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come up with the right choice. It must be a leader, someone who carries the team, somebody that in every moment is important. I am evaluating whether to decide on a definitive captain or a provisional captain, but please do not take this as indecision. I have first to know the players well and then I will make my choice.

“I have not met Beckham. My first week was taken up by meetings and English lessons. Yes, Beckham is important for England and can still give a lot, but all the players are equally important to me. I consider them all on the same level. A manager has feelings for some players but first and foremost he has to make decisions. So I know Beckham well, but I still have to decide on him.”

Capello is far too intelligent to play the sergeant-major with players who are only in his control for roughly 12 matches in each season, but it is already plain that his style is to maintain distance. There will be no cosy meeting with Terry, the present captain, for instance, and communication beyond training camps will be limited to what Capello deems necessary.

“I am accustomed to meeting managers,” he said. “I speak to the players when we get together.” He is determinedly his own man.

The opportunist campaign to have Manuel Almunia installed as an honorary Englishman is likely to fall on deaf ears. Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper qualifies to play for England next year and some see him as the answer to England’s goalkeeping crisis. Not Capello, though. Privately, he has let it be known that he views Almunia as no better than what is already on offer.

On the subject of his first two weeks watching English football, he was cryptic. “I have seen things which go beyond my expectations, but also things that left me perplexed,” he said.

All will be clearer by the time his team plays its opening competitive game away to Andorra on September 6. Then back to Zagreb for the big one, at which point the wisdom of his first big idea will be put to the test.

Schedule

Sept 6: Andorra (a)
Sept 10: Croatia (a)
Oct 11: Kazakhstan (h)
Oct 15: Belarus (a)

2009
April 1: Ukraine (h)
June 6: Kazakhstan (a)
June 10: Andorra (h)
Sept 9: Croatia (h)
Oct 10: Ukraine (a)
Oct 14: Belarus (h)

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