World Cup qual. - Capello bans chips

Eurosport - Thu, 13 Nov 15:21:00 2008

Fabio Capello has told England's star players to stay off "ketchup and chips" and follow a Mediterranean diet.

FOOTBALL - Lots of chip shop chips - 0

The England boss, who also spelled out his "dream" to coach a Great Britain football team at the London 2012 Olympics, summed up his first year in charge as "very positive".

But he said there was still room for improvement in how the team bonded - and in their diet.

Capello told FIFA Magazine: "I have, for example, impressed upon them the advantages of a Mediterranean diet over ketchup and chips.

"I have also put some rules of conduct in place for when the national team meets up, from eating breakfast together to the use of mobile phones, which must be switched off from time to time.

"The players have been very co-operative, and that is a clear indication of the high level of professionalism at their clubs.

"Arsenal's academy, for example, is the perfect example of how young players should be brought along at all European clubs."

Capello admitted he was baffled at how England could have sunk so low before he took over.

"I am eager and determined to help England rediscover the spirit that they once had as the teachers of football," he said.

"I simply cannot understand how England can drop as low, as we speak, as 15th in the FIFA world ranking (England rose to 10th in the latest rankings released on Wednesday).

"We have to rediscover the fighting spirit that English football has always been famous for.

"More importantly though, we have to get over this absurd fear of playing at Wembley, where criticism from the crowd has often paralysed the team in recent years.

"I can remember the 'lion's roar' of Wembley, but recently that roar has turned into boos and moans because of the team's disappointing performances and results.

"Our aim now is to continue on our run of victories as it will not only restore the players' belief in their own abilities, but also the fans' faith in the team. We will play more attractive football when we have more confidence."

Capello's England contract expires in 2012 and he wants to go out on a high at the London Olympics.

He could face stiff competition, however - London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has held informal talks with Sir Alex Ferguson about filling that position.

The Italian said: "I will be 66 by then and I will have reached retirement age. Then I want to travel and visit all of the ancient cultures that fascinate me so much.

"But I would also like to make another of my dreams come true by taking part in the Olympic Games, something that I was denied as a player, and something that still fills me with regret.

"I think it's only fair that Great Britain should have a football team in the Olympics, but it is up to others to decide how, and with which players."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 3 - 22 of 22

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  1. no chips? next thing it will be no lager and pork pies and no card games letting the bins beat us in training, no play staion......r eh boss can't we just lose and play @#$%?

    From steviecalrow, on Sat 15 Nov 12:34PM

  2. oh no ...whats gonna motivate rooney now lol

    From Julio, on Fri 14 Nov 11:23PM

  3. At least yu appreciate Arsene's work with youths. Go Wenger, yu are the best. Yu bring out talents

    From Bablo, on Fri 14 Nov 8:39AM

  4. TO NATRAJ_ARSENAL I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND YOU SIR, BUT I THINK YOU'RE A BIT SILLY!!FABIO CAPELLO IS AN EXTRAORDINARY, PRAGMATING, COACH, RATED BY THE WORLD STANDARD AS ONE OF THE VERY BEST.YOUR REMARKS ARE OFFENSIVE TO THE ENGLISH PEOPLE. IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR CRITICISM AND CRITERIA THE FA ARE BLOODY FOOLS TO HAVE SIMPLY CHOSEN AN IMCOPETENT MAN. THATS A BIT TOO MUCH!!

    From dante, on Fri 14 Nov 5:08AM

  5. y IS NOT ENGLAND PERFORMIN AS A UNIT TOGETHER WEN ALL THE PLAYERS HAVE CLASS????? Capello shud be kicked out..FA shud approach Sir Alex or Arsene..

    From Natraj, on Thu 13 Nov 9:31PM

  6. I'm not English but I think England has the class of players to go anywhere they want to. They only need discipline and humility, coupled with a patriotic spirit that makes one want to die for his country. 'I vow to thee my country....

    From Valentine, on Thu 13 Nov 3:13PM

  7. Sorry tedbailey123, how many more days or months do u have to live? Hope u prepare very well for the live beyond.

    From Valentine, on Thu 13 Nov 3:10PM

  8. @stephencharles15

    u r most probably living in the stone age...they can eat what they want except alcohol?? No wonder England fell down the ranking. caveman,have you heard of sport science?in such modern world,controlling your diet can be a difference of 1 sec off your reaction time?which means you can either be sluggish like hell or you want to grab that ball 1st and put it in the net?you choose...

    From HawtBabeChild, on Thu 13 Nov 2:49PM

  9. A few extra pork pies for Lumpy Lampard, Tubby Joe Cole and Round Rooney won't do any harm, cause Germany will be taking the World Cup home in 2010 anyway :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Thu 13 Nov 2:38PM

  10. @Tedbailey (comment 11)

    I guess you'll be dead pretty soon.

    From Mega-Crazy, on Thu 13 Nov 2:34PM

  11. U heard him take example from a club like arsenal academy where i belong

    From edwinclarkandassociates, on Thu 13 Nov 2:11PM

  12. Take football out of the Olympics, it has enough competitions as it is; World Cup etc.etc.Anyway at the Beiging Olympics it fell flat. With so many exciting sports on show, football just looked boring.

    From Dr.J, on Thu 13 Nov 1:27PM

  13. still, England won't win anything in my lifetime

    From Ted, on Thu 13 Nov 1:23PM

  14. Go Capello lets get that roar back into the three lions again, if our boys have to give up chips for a while so what, if that is\what it takes for England to win i`m sure the team will go along with it, after all thats is what they are paid to do.

    COME ON ENGLAND.

    From NOEL B, on Thu 13 Nov 1:12PM

  15. I think the players will get tired from his rules sooner or later :)

    From martin.mitevski26, on Thu 13 Nov 1:02PM

  16. England are coming back! We'll see glory days again.

    From Gary, on Thu 13 Nov 12:57PM

  17. is nonsense really. players should be able to eat what they want. exscept for alcohol which has a side effect on their bodies.

    performance is good victory is better extertaining is garanteeed wth fabio cappello he is a living legend.

    england will go a long way in the next world cup and yes i hope they win it! come on england i am behind you!

    From Stephen, on Thu 13 Nov 12:28PM

  18. I think England will go far in the World Cup with Capello, and GBR might get a medal n 2012!

    Someone like Capello is just what they need.

    From ZinedineZ, on Thu 13 Nov 11:55AM

  19. Bill, you have to ask yourself where 'Alf Tupper' (and his fish and chip supper) would come if he was racing against today's athletes (and the same age of course). He would probably be last.

    Things have changed since then, people are leaner, fitter etc and todays' performances demand a better diet.

    From Paulo Porkchoppe, on Thu 13 Nov 11:09AM

  20. Chips didn't do Alf Tupper (the tough of the track) any harm he won many a middle distance race on an exclusive diet of Fish and Chips

    From Bermondsey Bill, on Thu 13 Nov 10:52AM
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