Fabio Capello has confirmed that he will step down as England manager after the 2012 European Championships.
The Italian took charge of the Three Lions in January 2008, on an agreement originally scheduled to run for two-and-a-half years, but in the wake of England’s successful 2010 World Cup qualification campaign, he was handed a contract extension ahead of this summer’s finals in South Africa.
However, having fared badly in that tournament, many felt the Football Association had acted in haste on handing him a contract extension.
With England having begun their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with back-to-back wins, the Italian’s stock has begun to rise again.
The 64-year-old has, however, made it clear that whatever happens in Poland and Ukraine, he will then step down and enjoy his retirement.
“Absolutely. Yes,” he said when asked whether he would be leaving after Euro 2012, repeating the assertion to make sure everyone understood.
“We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old.
“I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner.”
