Fabio Capello is expected to be confirmed as England manager later today after the Italian agreed in principle to succeed Steve McClaren.
Although the former Real Madrid coach flew back to Italy on Wednesday night to fulfil a prior engagement, he is expected to return to England to sign a contract worth £4m a year.
Capello held talks with senior FA figures, including chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking outlining his vision for the future.
Barwick will now apppoach the FA board in the hope that they rubber stamp Capello’s appoinment, but that is expected to be a formality.
FA officials were enthusiastic about the impression Capello made during his discusssions with Barwick and Brooking.
“I can confirm that Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking have held talks with Fabio Capello in London,” said FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.
“I am pleased to say that these discussions were extremely positive and without any problems.
“Fabio has tonight returned to Italy to honour a prior commitment.
“Understandably, further talks are now taking place between Fabio’s advisors and ourselves.”
The Italian’s first official task is likely to be to head the FA delegation at a World Cup fixtures meeting due to take place in Zagreb in mid-January.
His first match in charge will be against Switzerland at Wembley on 6th February.
One of his first tasks will be to ensure the players perform as well for the national team as they do for their club sides.
“How can players of the level of [David] Beckham or [Michael] Owen have performances so different when they play for their national team?” Capello said.
“It’s clear the shirt is very heavy even for those great champions. The manager has a fundamental role to play in this situation. He has to be more of a psychologist than a tactician. It’s clear they have a mental block, otherwise how can you explain their elimination from Euro 2008?”
