Sports / Soccer
John Terry permanently reinstated as captain of the England national team
19 Mar 2011 at 20:40hrs | Views
Fabio Capello announced Saturday that Chelsea defender John Terry has been permanently reinstated as captain of the England national team following a year's punishment for off-the-field indiscretions.
The Italian revealed the Chelsea captain will replace Rio Ferdinand as the England skipper for the Three Lions' upcoming fixture against Wales and beyond after being stripped of the armband last year following an alleged affair with national teammate Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend.
Capello made the news official Saturday at a Wembley media briefing amidst speculation Terry would receive the armband again considering rumors Ferdinand will be out for the rest of the season with a recurring back issue.
The former Juventus and AC Milan manager believes Terry has suffered his punishment and said the 30-year-old was his 'first choice' to replace the injured Ferdinand.
"I have decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will again be the permanent captain," Capello said.
"I think one year's punishment is enough.
"I decided John Terry would be the captain for this game because, after the game in Copenhagen, the way the armband was moved around was upsetting for him.
"I also knew the England doctors spoke with the doctors of Manchester United and Liverpool and I knew that Rio and Steven Gerrard were injured.
"He was my first choice when I (initially) decided on the permanent captain."
The England manager also remarked how impressed he was with Terry's demeanor without the armband throughout the last year.
"John also, when he played without the armband, was everytime a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room," said Capello.
"He was really good every time.
"I have been impressed with John in the 12 months he was not captain.
"Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader.
"This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room."
The Italian explained how the Chelsea captain is even better suited to the role now than before.
"It is not a risk making Terry captain again," he said.
"Sometimes the leader can make mistakes - not only him but I, you, all the people.
"He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes and all the people learn from mistakes.
"He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.
"I also think the players will be happy. I think so.
"They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely."
However, Capello also admitted that former captain Rio Ferdinand perhaps wasn't happy with the decision.
The England boss told reporters: "
The Italian revealed the Chelsea captain will replace Rio Ferdinand as the England skipper for the Three Lions' upcoming fixture against Wales and beyond after being stripped of the armband last year following an alleged affair with national teammate Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend.
Capello made the news official Saturday at a Wembley media briefing amidst speculation Terry would receive the armband again considering rumors Ferdinand will be out for the rest of the season with a recurring back issue.
The former Juventus and AC Milan manager believes Terry has suffered his punishment and said the 30-year-old was his 'first choice' to replace the injured Ferdinand.
"I have decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will again be the permanent captain," Capello said.
"I think one year's punishment is enough.
"I decided John Terry would be the captain for this game because, after the game in Copenhagen, the way the armband was moved around was upsetting for him.
"I also knew the England doctors spoke with the doctors of Manchester United and Liverpool and I knew that Rio and Steven Gerrard were injured.
"He was my first choice when I (initially) decided on the permanent captain."
The England manager also remarked how impressed he was with Terry's demeanor without the armband throughout the last year.
"John also, when he played without the armband, was everytime a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room," said Capello.
"He was really good every time.
"Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader.
"This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room."
The Italian explained how the Chelsea captain is even better suited to the role now than before.
"It is not a risk making Terry captain again," he said.
"Sometimes the leader can make mistakes - not only him but I, you, all the people.
"He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes and all the people learn from mistakes.
"He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.
"I also think the players will be happy. I think so.
"They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely."
However, Capello also admitted that former captain Rio Ferdinand perhaps wasn't happy with the decision.
The England boss told reporters: "
Source - Byo24NEWS
