THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
JaarVis.
New member
CHEERS ! liverpoool must get out. i'd be damn happy sia. haha. after that i'll aim for man u to get out.
fgl
Well-known member
Jens Lehmann
Paddy Power Bet of the Week8/1 - Arsenal to win Champions Lge
Arsenal Statistics Centre
All the match stats you will ever need
Arsenal Mobile WallpapersDecorate your mobile phone today
Lehmann and Van Persie set to return for Steaua clash
Arsenal v Steaua Bucharest
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 7.45pm
By Richard Clarke
Jens Lehmann will make his return to first-team action against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
The German keeper last played for Arsenal at Blackburn on August 19. He was initially kept out through injury but, latterly, manager Arsène Wenger has favoured Manuel Almunia.
“You will see Jens Lehmann in goal tomorrow,” said the Frenchman at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “This was decided three weeks ago so it is independent of anything else.”
Wenger described the attitude of the 38-year-old as “fantastic” during his absence. “This man is super-professional and an example for everybody,” he added.
Robin van Persie is also going to be involved. The Dutch striker has not been seen in an Arsenal shirt since October 7 because of a knee problem.
“He is OK,” said Wenger. “He will be in the squad tomorrow. I have not yet made a decision if he will start but he could play some part.
“The other players who were out before are still out except Abou Diaby. He is in the squad and maybe he will play a part in the game.”
The remaining absentees are Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Hleb (Achilles) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh).
[ Tuesday
Paddy Power Bet of the Week8/1 - Arsenal to win Champions Lge
Arsenal Statistics Centre
All the match stats you will ever need
Arsenal Mobile WallpapersDecorate your mobile phone today
Lehmann and Van Persie set to return for Steaua clash
Arsenal v Steaua Bucharest
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 7.45pm
By Richard Clarke
Jens Lehmann will make his return to first-team action against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
The German keeper last played for Arsenal at Blackburn on August 19. He was initially kept out through injury but, latterly, manager Arsène Wenger has favoured Manuel Almunia.
“You will see Jens Lehmann in goal tomorrow,” said the Frenchman at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “This was decided three weeks ago so it is independent of anything else.”
Wenger described the attitude of the 38-year-old as “fantastic” during his absence. “This man is super-professional and an example for everybody,” he added.
Robin van Persie is also going to be involved. The Dutch striker has not been seen in an Arsenal shirt since October 7 because of a knee problem.
“He is OK,” said Wenger. “He will be in the squad tomorrow. I have not yet made a decision if he will start but he could play some part.
“The other players who were out before are still out except Abou Diaby. He is in the squad and maybe he will play a part in the game.”
The remaining absentees are Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Hleb (Achilles) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh).
[ Tuesday
fgl
Well-known member
Marseille crushed by Reds revival in Champions League football
AFP - Wednesday, December 12MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - - Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 win over an outclassed Marseille here on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
An early strike from captain Steven Gerrard was followed by a superb solo effort from Fernando Torres, a Dirk Kuyt goal early in the second half and a stoppage time effort from substitute Ryan Babel as Liverpool became the first English club to win at the home of France's best-supported club.
From the fourth minute, when Gerrard knocked in the rebound from his own penalty, there was little doubt that Liverpool would complete a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes in group A.
A 1-0 defeat by Marseille at Anfield in October had left Rafael Benitez's side with just one point from their opening three matches.
Since then however they have beaten Besiktas 8-0 and FC Porto 4-1 at home and the equally comfortable nature of this win will send them the five-times champions into the last 16 - and Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester United - in confident mood.
Having become the first French club to win at Anfield, as well as having won all six of their previous encounters with English opponents at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille kicked off with good reason to believe they could progress.
But within 11 minutes, the home side's confidence and chances of survival had both been shatterd by a combination of some casual defending and the brilliance of Torres.
Benitez's decision to start Kuyt at the expense of Peter Crouch was vindicated inside three minutes when the Dutch striker clipped a simple ball beyond a flat-heeled back four to send Gerrard steaming towards the Marseille goal.
Tripped by Laurent Bonnart's desperate lunge, the Liverpool captain got up to take the resulting penalty himself.
Marseille's goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda, did well to block a rising strike but the rebound fell kindly for Gerrard, who gratefully side-footed the ball home from six yards.
Softened up by that sucker punch, Marseille were left reeling seven minutes later by the brilliance of Torres.
Collecting a pass from Harry Kewell in the inside left channel just outside the box, the Spaniard swept past Lorik Cana, sidestepped Julien Rodriguez and coolly threaded his shot beyond Mandanda's dive and into the far corner of the net.
Torres's 12th goal of his first season at Liverpool failed to silence the defiantly boisterous home supporters but it certainly drained the life out of their team.
Not until mid-way through the half, when Karim Ziani's clever pass put Mathieu Valbuena in on goal, did the home side managed to generate a sniff of a chance.
Valbuena, Marseille's match-winner at Anfield, was let down by a heavy first touch as he attempted to go round Pepe Reina and the ball trundled safely into touch.
Facing defeat, Marseille opted to throw highly-rated young playmaker Samir Nasri into the fray ten minutes from the end of the half.
But it was the visitors who continued to dominate and they might easily have added to their advantage in the minutes before the interval, a Gerrard freekick falling just the wrong side of Mandanda's right-hand post before Kewell volleyed an inviting chance over the bar.
The Australian winger made amends for that miss soon after the restart by smartly teeing up Kuyt for Liverpool's third after Mandanda had sliced a clearance straight to him on the left touchline.
Kewell gathered the ball and immediately picked out the unmarked Kuyt, who was left with only the goalkeeper to beat and calmly tucked his shot inside the near post.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse went close with a header just after the hour mark but that was to be as near as Marseille came to mounting the fightback and Babel rounded off the rout in stoppage time after being sent clear by John Arne Riise.
AFP - Wednesday, December 12MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - - Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 win over an outclassed Marseille here on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
An early strike from captain Steven Gerrard was followed by a superb solo effort from Fernando Torres, a Dirk Kuyt goal early in the second half and a stoppage time effort from substitute Ryan Babel as Liverpool became the first English club to win at the home of France's best-supported club.
From the fourth minute, when Gerrard knocked in the rebound from his own penalty, there was little doubt that Liverpool would complete a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes in group A.
A 1-0 defeat by Marseille at Anfield in October had left Rafael Benitez's side with just one point from their opening three matches.
Since then however they have beaten Besiktas 8-0 and FC Porto 4-1 at home and the equally comfortable nature of this win will send them the five-times champions into the last 16 - and Sunday's Premier League showdown with Manchester United - in confident mood.
Having become the first French club to win at Anfield, as well as having won all six of their previous encounters with English opponents at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille kicked off with good reason to believe they could progress.
But within 11 minutes, the home side's confidence and chances of survival had both been shatterd by a combination of some casual defending and the brilliance of Torres.
Benitez's decision to start Kuyt at the expense of Peter Crouch was vindicated inside three minutes when the Dutch striker clipped a simple ball beyond a flat-heeled back four to send Gerrard steaming towards the Marseille goal.
Tripped by Laurent Bonnart's desperate lunge, the Liverpool captain got up to take the resulting penalty himself.
Marseille's goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda, did well to block a rising strike but the rebound fell kindly for Gerrard, who gratefully side-footed the ball home from six yards.
Softened up by that sucker punch, Marseille were left reeling seven minutes later by the brilliance of Torres.
Collecting a pass from Harry Kewell in the inside left channel just outside the box, the Spaniard swept past Lorik Cana, sidestepped Julien Rodriguez and coolly threaded his shot beyond Mandanda's dive and into the far corner of the net.
Torres's 12th goal of his first season at Liverpool failed to silence the defiantly boisterous home supporters but it certainly drained the life out of their team.
Not until mid-way through the half, when Karim Ziani's clever pass put Mathieu Valbuena in on goal, did the home side managed to generate a sniff of a chance.
Valbuena, Marseille's match-winner at Anfield, was let down by a heavy first touch as he attempted to go round Pepe Reina and the ball trundled safely into touch.
Facing defeat, Marseille opted to throw highly-rated young playmaker Samir Nasri into the fray ten minutes from the end of the half.
But it was the visitors who continued to dominate and they might easily have added to their advantage in the minutes before the interval, a Gerrard freekick falling just the wrong side of Mandanda's right-hand post before Kewell volleyed an inviting chance over the bar.
The Australian winger made amends for that miss soon after the restart by smartly teeing up Kuyt for Liverpool's third after Mandanda had sliced a clearance straight to him on the left touchline.
Kewell gathered the ball and immediately picked out the unmarked Kuyt, who was left with only the goalkeeper to beat and calmly tucked his shot inside the near post.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse went close with a header just after the hour mark but that was to be as near as Marseille came to mounting the fightback and Babel rounded off the rout in stoppage time after being sent clear by John Arne Riise.
JaarVis.
New member
ya ya ya. hahaha.
*speechless*
okay. if pool can bring down man u .
POOWEERRRR !! okay?
fgl
Well-known member
Match Report
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 7.45pm
Arsenal2Diaby 8, Bendtner 42
Steaua Bucharest1Zaharia 69
By Richard Clarke
Tonight at Emirates Stadium, Arsène Wenger will ask a much-changed, perhaps second-string, side to protect Arsenal from a Knockout Round tie against one of Europe’s major names.
The London oufit are second in Champions League Group H and are likely to face a tough task in the last 16 unless they manage to overhaul leaders Sevilla on Matchday Six.
To do that they must beat Steaua Bucharest at Emirates and hope the Spaniards slip up at Slavia Prague. It is a perfectly plausible scenario however, after winning his first three group games this term, the Arsenal manager has always had his eye on other things. Unfamiliar sides were taken to the Czech Republic and Spain - they brought back only a point.
This evening that will not be enough to improve Arsenal’s position. However with the defeat at Middlesbrough in the recent past and a massive game with Chelsea in the near future, it is understandable that the manager was thinking of repeating recent Champions League selections despite calls for a stronger side.
“This is a big test for the squad because I will rest some players," he said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "There are some players who have played four games on the trot away from home, including Sevilla, so some of them need a little breather.
“My squad is very determined and very strong. I believe those that will come in are very good, even good enough to play against Chelsea on Sunday. If you had listened to what people said before the season, we would be 10th or 12th in the League and be out of everything. But at the moment we are in everything. We are top of the Premier League table after playing eight games away and eight at home. That is not a coincidence; it is down to the mental strength of my team.”
The most notable change this evening sees Jens Lehmann start his first game since August 19. The manager does not see it as a quiet return for the German keeper.
“There are always two judges in your job,” said Wenger. “One is the environment and the other in here [tapping his heart]. And for a top player the most demanding is in here. It is not the environment, it is what is in your heart, your conscience."
All eyes will be on Lehmann but Robin van Persie is set for his first outing in an Arsenal shirt since October 7 and Abou Diaby returns after a back problem.
Wenger will watch tonight’s game from the stands after being dismissed from the dug-out in Sevilla. The Frenchman has certainly targeted first place in Group H but, in truth, he is not sure about its real value.
"I really do not know how important top spot is," he said. "Two years ago we went into the Final by playing against Juventus and Real Madrid. Last year we went out playing against Eindhoven.
"But I suppose overall it does give you a little advantage because you play the second game at home. It gives you a bit better protection I think."
Group H Team P W D L F A +/- Pts
Sevilla 5 4 0 1 11 7 +4 12
Arsenal 5 3 1 1 12 3 +9 10
Slavia Prague 5 1 2 2 5 13 -8 5
Steaua Bucharest 5 0 1 4 3 8 -5 1
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 7.45pm
Arsenal2Diaby 8, Bendtner 42
Steaua Bucharest1Zaharia 69
By Richard Clarke
Tonight at Emirates Stadium, Arsène Wenger will ask a much-changed, perhaps second-string, side to protect Arsenal from a Knockout Round tie against one of Europe’s major names.
The London oufit are second in Champions League Group H and are likely to face a tough task in the last 16 unless they manage to overhaul leaders Sevilla on Matchday Six.
To do that they must beat Steaua Bucharest at Emirates and hope the Spaniards slip up at Slavia Prague. It is a perfectly plausible scenario however, after winning his first three group games this term, the Arsenal manager has always had his eye on other things. Unfamiliar sides were taken to the Czech Republic and Spain - they brought back only a point.
This evening that will not be enough to improve Arsenal’s position. However with the defeat at Middlesbrough in the recent past and a massive game with Chelsea in the near future, it is understandable that the manager was thinking of repeating recent Champions League selections despite calls for a stronger side.
“This is a big test for the squad because I will rest some players," he said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "There are some players who have played four games on the trot away from home, including Sevilla, so some of them need a little breather.
“My squad is very determined and very strong. I believe those that will come in are very good, even good enough to play against Chelsea on Sunday. If you had listened to what people said before the season, we would be 10th or 12th in the League and be out of everything. But at the moment we are in everything. We are top of the Premier League table after playing eight games away and eight at home. That is not a coincidence; it is down to the mental strength of my team.”
The most notable change this evening sees Jens Lehmann start his first game since August 19. The manager does not see it as a quiet return for the German keeper.
“There are always two judges in your job,” said Wenger. “One is the environment and the other in here [tapping his heart]. And for a top player the most demanding is in here. It is not the environment, it is what is in your heart, your conscience."
All eyes will be on Lehmann but Robin van Persie is set for his first outing in an Arsenal shirt since October 7 and Abou Diaby returns after a back problem.
Wenger will watch tonight’s game from the stands after being dismissed from the dug-out in Sevilla. The Frenchman has certainly targeted first place in Group H but, in truth, he is not sure about its real value.
"I really do not know how important top spot is," he said. "Two years ago we went into the Final by playing against Juventus and Real Madrid. Last year we went out playing against Eindhoven.
"But I suppose overall it does give you a little advantage because you play the second game at home. It gives you a bit better protection I think."
Group H Team P W D L F A +/- Pts
Sevilla 5 4 0 1 11 7 +4 12
Arsenal 5 3 1 1 12 3 +9 10
Slavia Prague 5 1 2 2 5 13 -8 5
Steaua Bucharest 5 0 1 4 3 8 -5 1
fgl
Well-known member
Wenger: 'I have belief in our ability to become stronger'
Arsenal 2-1 Steaua Bucharest
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 7.45pm
On an impressive first half...
"Yes, I feel that we had a good first half, overall our game was well organised and our combination play was good. We maybe in the final were not creative enough to finish what we created but overall it was a good first half."
On a slower second period...
"I felt in the second half our game dropped, the main reason I could see from upstairs was physical, that our players dropped a little bit. The main reason is some players came back from injury, like Diaby - who was very influential in the first half, Van Persie and Song because they do not play a lot at that very demanding level. We dropped a little bit but overall it's good to win after our defeat at Middlesbrough."
On finishing second in Group H...
"We finish the group with thirteen points, that is quite good but it was not good enough to top the group. That promises us a very interesting last sixteen game. I think it's a good opportunity for us to show... you know, two years ago we played Juventus, we won. Last season we played Eindhoven, we lost. It's a cup game."
On the return of Van Persie ...
"Footballistically there was no problem for him, you know, he looked sharp, his eye was there, his pass was there, his challenging. Of course, he needs to regain a little bit of confidence to go into the challenges but on the footballing side he looks like he's never been out."
On a bright night for Walcott...
"He was very lively in the first half, as you said, he didn't always finish as well as he can but he had a very, very lively first half and for me he's on the way - a very good way. He improves from game to game. He was a little bit like the team in the second half, it was a little bit quieter, but in the first half he was always dangerous. He'll become some player, that's why you're not in a desperate situation in England!"
On his touchline ban...
"Well, tonight it was not a big problem because I could speak to the players, before arriving here at the Emirates we were in a hotel, we make all the preparation in the hotel and after, for the changes, you can always communicate. But I didn't go in the dressing room."
On Lehmann's return to the starting XI...
"I feel he had a good game, I don't think he can do a lot on the goal. I decided to play him because he's a hundred per-cent dedicated in training, because he's a top class keeper and I want everybody to keep in competition if I can. For example, Fabianski behind is top class and he will play on Tuesday in Blackburn."
On his team producing more surprises...
"We can, I believe we can. I'm highly confident we can beat everybody. Because I have great belief in my players, in my team and in our ability to become stronger from month to month. The next [Champions League] time is in February and in February we'll even be stronger than now."
On injuries ahead of Chelsea...
"He [Van Persie] is ready physically, yes. We have some other players who are injured, like Fabregas, like Hleb, Flamini, and we'll have to assess the situation of these players in the next few days, though I will certainly have to take a gamble on one or two. Can I take a gamble on three or four? That would be a very risky so I'll have to assess the situation in the next three or four days."
Arsenal 2-1 Steaua Bucharest
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal Stadium
Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 7.45pm
On an impressive first half...
"Yes, I feel that we had a good first half, overall our game was well organised and our combination play was good. We maybe in the final were not creative enough to finish what we created but overall it was a good first half."
On a slower second period...
"I felt in the second half our game dropped, the main reason I could see from upstairs was physical, that our players dropped a little bit. The main reason is some players came back from injury, like Diaby - who was very influential in the first half, Van Persie and Song because they do not play a lot at that very demanding level. We dropped a little bit but overall it's good to win after our defeat at Middlesbrough."
On finishing second in Group H...
"We finish the group with thirteen points, that is quite good but it was not good enough to top the group. That promises us a very interesting last sixteen game. I think it's a good opportunity for us to show... you know, two years ago we played Juventus, we won. Last season we played Eindhoven, we lost. It's a cup game."
On the return of Van Persie ...
"Footballistically there was no problem for him, you know, he looked sharp, his eye was there, his pass was there, his challenging. Of course, he needs to regain a little bit of confidence to go into the challenges but on the footballing side he looks like he's never been out."
On a bright night for Walcott...
"He was very lively in the first half, as you said, he didn't always finish as well as he can but he had a very, very lively first half and for me he's on the way - a very good way. He improves from game to game. He was a little bit like the team in the second half, it was a little bit quieter, but in the first half he was always dangerous. He'll become some player, that's why you're not in a desperate situation in England!"
On his touchline ban...
"Well, tonight it was not a big problem because I could speak to the players, before arriving here at the Emirates we were in a hotel, we make all the preparation in the hotel and after, for the changes, you can always communicate. But I didn't go in the dressing room."
On Lehmann's return to the starting XI...
"I feel he had a good game, I don't think he can do a lot on the goal. I decided to play him because he's a hundred per-cent dedicated in training, because he's a top class keeper and I want everybody to keep in competition if I can. For example, Fabianski behind is top class and he will play on Tuesday in Blackburn."
On his team producing more surprises...
"We can, I believe we can. I'm highly confident we can beat everybody. Because I have great belief in my players, in my team and in our ability to become stronger from month to month. The next [Champions League] time is in February and in February we'll even be stronger than now."
On injuries ahead of Chelsea...
"He [Van Persie] is ready physically, yes. We have some other players who are injured, like Fabregas, like Hleb, Flamini, and we'll have to assess the situation of these players in the next few days, though I will certainly have to take a gamble on one or two. Can I take a gamble on three or four? That would be a very risky so I'll have to assess the situation in the next three or four days."
fgl
Well-known member
Wenger - It's too early to tell on Fabregas, Hleb and Flamini
Arsenal v Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Sun, Dec 16, 2007, 4pm
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger needs a multitude of answers before he names his squad for the Premier League game with Chelsea at the weekend.
The Arsenal manager has question-marks hanging over the fitness of Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Hleb (hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh). All three are not in full training at present but could return before the visit of Avram Grant's side on Sunday. Wenger was boosted by the return of Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby from injury in Wednesday night's win over Steaua Bucharest but neither played more than 70 minutes. Keeper Jens Lehmann also came back to play a full 90. With so many imponderables you cannot blame the Arsenal manager for playing his cards close to his chest when he spoke to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon.
"It is very early and we have so many question-marks against players," he said. "But all three [who came back against Steaua] could be involved as they are all quality players.
"The question marks are against Flamini, Fabregas and Hleb. They are practising but not with the team. They are not in normal training. Who will come back into normal training before Sunday? It could be one, two or three. It is too early to say. And the selection will depend on that becuase you can gamble on one or two but not five."
With Van Persie back, Arsenal fans will now look to the others returning, including Fabregas. Wenger commented: "At the moment he has does not have the green light medically. Once he gets that we have to test him on the pitch with the other players and then we can make a decision."
Arsenal.com will carry more injury news on Friday afternoon.
FGL'S PREDICTED LINE UP AGAINST CHELSKI;
ALMUNIA
SAGNA
CLINCHY
GALLAS
TOURE
EBOUE
FLAMINI
FABREGAS
ROSICKY
ADEBAYOR
Van PERSIE
Arsenal v Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Sun, Dec 16, 2007, 4pm
By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger needs a multitude of answers before he names his squad for the Premier League game with Chelsea at the weekend.
The Arsenal manager has question-marks hanging over the fitness of Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Hleb (hamstring) and Mathieu Flamini (thigh). All three are not in full training at present but could return before the visit of Avram Grant's side on Sunday. Wenger was boosted by the return of Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby from injury in Wednesday night's win over Steaua Bucharest but neither played more than 70 minutes. Keeper Jens Lehmann also came back to play a full 90. With so many imponderables you cannot blame the Arsenal manager for playing his cards close to his chest when he spoke to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon.
"It is very early and we have so many question-marks against players," he said. "But all three [who came back against Steaua] could be involved as they are all quality players.
"The question marks are against Flamini, Fabregas and Hleb. They are practising but not with the team. They are not in normal training. Who will come back into normal training before Sunday? It could be one, two or three. It is too early to say. And the selection will depend on that becuase you can gamble on one or two but not five."
With Van Persie back, Arsenal fans will now look to the others returning, including Fabregas. Wenger commented: "At the moment he has does not have the green light medically. Once he gets that we have to test him on the pitch with the other players and then we can make a decision."
Arsenal.com will carry more injury news on Friday afternoon.
FGL'S PREDICTED LINE UP AGAINST CHELSKI;
ALMUNIA
SAGNA
CLINCHY
GALLAS
TOURE
EBOUE
FLAMINI
FABREGAS
ROSICKY
ADEBAYOR
Van PERSIE
ShadowsDiamond
New member
nononononono tats not gonna happen -.-
fgl
Well-known member
Juno
New member
confirmed...
itz in the news....
check this out...
http://news.sg.msn.com/sport/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1146862
itz in the news....
check this out...
http://news.sg.msn.com/sport/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1146862
fgl
Well-known member
thanks Juno:
Capello gets green light to launch England football revival
Fabio Capello was Thursday given a green light to begin plotting England's renaissance in international football after the Football Association (FA) agreed in principle to his appointment.
After a day of talks with the Italian's advisors, FA officials were unable to wrap up all the details of Capello's contract but a spokesman for the governing body indicated that a deal had effectively been all but done.
The spokesman, Adrian Bevington, said Capello's appointment had been approved by the FA Board, subject to the successful conclusion of the contract negotiations.
"These will continue tomorrow. I want to stress that there are no problems and that we are going through the necessary process to reach a successful conclusion," Bevington added.
The former Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus coach spent Thursday at one of his homes in Milan awaiting official confirmation of his appointment as Steve McClaren's successor.
The details still to be resolved are understood to mainly concern the make-up of the new manager's backroom staff.
Capello was believed to have agreed a contract worth in excess of four million pounds (eight million dollars) a year up to the 2010 World Cup with a two-year extension as an option, presuming that England qualify for the finals in South Africa and perform well.
The 61-year-old reportedly wants to include long-serving assistant Franco Baldini in his backroom team and there were concerns within the FA about how this would would dovetail with the role of the organisation's current director of football, Sir Trevor Brooking.
Baldini however has indicated that the question of his involvement was not a deal-breaker.
Capello's path to what is the best-paid managerial job in world football was cleared when Jose Mourinho, the initial favourite to succeed McClaren, pulled out of the race earlier this week, having decided he would prefer a new challenge in club football.
In contrast, having achieved everything possible in the club game, Capello is at an age where he no longer craves the day-to-day involvement with players that many international managers miss.
His passion for the game remains undiminished however and he had made clear his enthusiasm for the "beautiful challenge" of managing England within 24 hours of McClaren being dismissed after a defeat by Croatia at Wembley ensured his team would not be going to Euro 2008.
Managerial luminaries including Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Sven-Goran Eriksson have all endorsed Capello's credentials.
Eriksson, England's manager from 2001-2006 and the first foreigner to fill the role, knows better than most the unrelenting pressure that goes with the job but said he was confident that Capello had the necessary personal and professional qualities to thrive in the spotlight.
"He is a very good man and manager," Eriksson said. "His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy and is one of the best managers you can find."
Marcel Desailly, the AC Milan captain for much of Capello's time in charge at the San Siro, testified to his former boss's ability to get the best out of individual players and his teams.
"He's professional and very demanding, but I think that's what the England players need," Desailly said. "He will put them under pressure to deliver, but that is a good thing."
A tough midfielder who won 32 caps for Italy as a player, Capello initially worked as a business manager in Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest empire before returning to football as successor to Arrigo Sacchi at Milan.
He led Milan to four Italian titles as well as masterminding their triumph in the 1994 Champions League -- their 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the final is regarded as one of the greatest displays by any team.
Another five league titles followed in subsequent spells in charge of Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, although Juventus were stripped of two of those as a result of the corruption scandal that rocked Italian football last year.
Capello's first matches in charge will be two friendlies: against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 and against France in Paris on March 26.
He will not have a competitive match until September 2008, when England begin their bid to qualify for South Africa 2010 from a group that once again includes Croatia, as well as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.
Capello gets green light to launch England football revival
Fabio Capello was Thursday given a green light to begin plotting England's renaissance in international football after the Football Association (FA) agreed in principle to his appointment.
After a day of talks with the Italian's advisors, FA officials were unable to wrap up all the details of Capello's contract but a spokesman for the governing body indicated that a deal had effectively been all but done.
The spokesman, Adrian Bevington, said Capello's appointment had been approved by the FA Board, subject to the successful conclusion of the contract negotiations.
"These will continue tomorrow. I want to stress that there are no problems and that we are going through the necessary process to reach a successful conclusion," Bevington added.
The former Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus coach spent Thursday at one of his homes in Milan awaiting official confirmation of his appointment as Steve McClaren's successor.
The details still to be resolved are understood to mainly concern the make-up of the new manager's backroom staff.
Capello was believed to have agreed a contract worth in excess of four million pounds (eight million dollars) a year up to the 2010 World Cup with a two-year extension as an option, presuming that England qualify for the finals in South Africa and perform well.
The 61-year-old reportedly wants to include long-serving assistant Franco Baldini in his backroom team and there were concerns within the FA about how this would would dovetail with the role of the organisation's current director of football, Sir Trevor Brooking.
Baldini however has indicated that the question of his involvement was not a deal-breaker.
Capello's path to what is the best-paid managerial job in world football was cleared when Jose Mourinho, the initial favourite to succeed McClaren, pulled out of the race earlier this week, having decided he would prefer a new challenge in club football.
In contrast, having achieved everything possible in the club game, Capello is at an age where he no longer craves the day-to-day involvement with players that many international managers miss.
His passion for the game remains undiminished however and he had made clear his enthusiasm for the "beautiful challenge" of managing England within 24 hours of McClaren being dismissed after a defeat by Croatia at Wembley ensured his team would not be going to Euro 2008.
Managerial luminaries including Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Sven-Goran Eriksson have all endorsed Capello's credentials.
Eriksson, England's manager from 2001-2006 and the first foreigner to fill the role, knows better than most the unrelenting pressure that goes with the job but said he was confident that Capello had the necessary personal and professional qualities to thrive in the spotlight.
"He is a very good man and manager," Eriksson said. "His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy and is one of the best managers you can find."
Marcel Desailly, the AC Milan captain for much of Capello's time in charge at the San Siro, testified to his former boss's ability to get the best out of individual players and his teams.
"He's professional and very demanding, but I think that's what the England players need," Desailly said. "He will put them under pressure to deliver, but that is a good thing."
A tough midfielder who won 32 caps for Italy as a player, Capello initially worked as a business manager in Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest empire before returning to football as successor to Arrigo Sacchi at Milan.
He led Milan to four Italian titles as well as masterminding their triumph in the 1994 Champions League -- their 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the final is regarded as one of the greatest displays by any team.
Another five league titles followed in subsequent spells in charge of Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, although Juventus were stripped of two of those as a result of the corruption scandal that rocked Italian football last year.
Capello's first matches in charge will be two friendlies: against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 and against France in Paris on March 26.
He will not have a competitive match until September 2008, when England begin their bid to qualify for South Africa 2010 from a group that once again includes Croatia, as well as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.
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