Fabio Capello says he is happy to be judged by the ambitious targets set for him by the Football Association.
According to the FA’s strategy review, outlined in the Vision document, the Italian is expected to lead England to at least the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup or Euro 2012.
Despite England’s failure to reach Euro 2008, Capello says the targets have not put him under any additional pressure.
“We must be positive and my personal objective in every team I have coached was to go to the top,” he said.
“I am not under any pressure. It’s no problem for me and it’s no surprise these targets have been set. I believe that it’s important to have these targets and to work towards them.
“We should all be confident of this because the team I have at the moment is capable of reaching these objectives.”
The extensive review also recommended the appointment of an international performance director and approved plans to have the National Football Centre (NFC) at Burton up and running by 2010. The centre at Burton was the principal victim of the FA’s cash crisis following the delay to the completion of the rebuilt Wembley stadium.
Capello backed plans for the NFC, which he believes will play a major part in the development of England’s promising young players.
“It is important to have a centre, to have a home – a place where we can go back and be together, spend time together, feel the spirit of the shirt we are wearing, regroup and achieve the targets that we want to achieve,” said Capello.
“As we all know there is only 38% of players who are English in the Premier League.
“But having said that there are lot of young players in the under-21 level and younger that are very good so there is plenty of talent,” he added.
