Gullit Backs Beckham,
The former Sky pundit, who also played under Capello in the Milan invincibles side of the early 1990s, backs his former boss as the best man for the job. He went on to express his opinions on how things would work best for Don Fabio during his reign as England manager.
One such debate is the contentious issue of the necessity for an Englishman amongst Capello's entourage of Italian coaching staff.
Italian-speaking Englishman and former under-21 coach David Platt emerged as a possibility, as did the much less experienced Portsmouth assisstant Tony Adams.
Strangely, it's the the non-experienced but most popular Alan Shearer who appears to be front-runner for the position, a decision with which Gullit strongly disagrees.
Shearer Could Have Done More For Me
"You must have experience and for me he would be a surprising choice," Gullit said of Shearer.
"Shearer was a good player but I felt he could have done more for me at Newcastle and I actually had an argument with him about it," he said.
"I told him we could play the old way or the new. Alan is a very powerful guy up north and I was seen as the city boy coming up from London telling them what to do."
The former Chelsea manager refused to hold back; hitting out, perhaps deservedly so, at the politics within Newcastle United.
"It was very difficult because to do my work properly I felt I had to change things. Then I saw that I couldn't win this fight, but 10 years later they are struggling in the same position. So I was right," he stated.
"I still think Alan was a good striker but things didn't work out. It didn't help that I arrived after his best friend, Kenny Dalglish, was sacked. I think a more experienced coach should be appointed by England."
A Clever Idea
Gullit had his own ideas about who would work best as Capello's mediator, but it's not an Englishman.
Gianfranco Zola has been linked with the role, as another man who speaks both English and Italian, and who has experience coaching.
"It would be a clever idea," insisted Gullit. "He knows English football and speaks both English and Italian. Gustavo Poyet has been working in a similar way at Spurs and it has worked well.
Zola has worked with the under-21s in Italy so getting him involved would be a smart move."
However, having made the logical decision in the appointment of manager, the FA will most likely be coaxed into making a token sentimental appointment of an English hero to subdue the currently disillusioned fans.
Though their feelings are understandable, surely someone as popular in England as Zola would be appreciated as the right man for the job, but it seems the heart will rule over the head in this matter.
Becks The Best
Now managing LA Galaxy, Gullit has made a statement that might surprise some, in backing his star player to continue with his country, despite the detriment it could cause at club level.
He began, "To play for your country is the best thing that can happen. If he wants it to continue then I will do everything I can to help him. It's up to him - but why not?
"What did everyone say after England played Croatia? They said that Beckham was the best player on the pitch. Everybody knows he is the best player in the squad.
I've seen him playing in our exhibition games and he has been playing out of his skin. I think the period between 28 and 34 are the best years of your career.
"If he goes with the national team then I will have to rest him - otherwise I will not be able to play him at his best. But it would be the same with any other player. You need to recover from a long journey."
Not A Defensive Coach
The Dutch national rounded off with some insight on Capello's managerial style, something England are set to become a lot more familiar with in the coming months.
"He is very demanding and very disciplined," he began. "He will sort out the defensive part of the game. He is not a defensive coach - everyone likes to attack but if you can't defend yourself then what is the point of attacking? You know that if you get him you have a chance of winning something because he has done that everywhere he has been."
As well as debunking the stereotypical 'defensive Italian' stereotype, Gullit went on to emphasise the psychological aspect of Capello's role.
"You need to be able to get inside the players' minds," he said. He will do what is necessary for the squad. He does not care about your reputation, that's for sure. But that's good. I hope some of the England players are worried about that, because it is about the team, not about the individual."
Who he's referring to remains a point of interest, but one thing is for sure, all eyes are on England in the coming months.
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