Fabio Capello has made it known to Chelsea's hierarchy that he is eager to take up the reins at Stamford Bridge this summer as the former England coach seeks a return to top-flight club management.
The Italian is due to attend Saturday's Champions League final in Munich, which marks the last game of Roberto Di Matteo's impressive tenure as interim first-team coach. Chelsea are still evaluating who will fill the position vacated by André Villas-Boas in the first week of March but, with their chances of securing Roman Abramovich's first choice – Pep Guardiola – appearing remote, Capello has moved to promote his own candidacy.
The 65-year-old's availability had been explored by intermediaries apparently working with Chelsea's blessing earlier this year once it became clear that Villas-Boas's spell in charge was unraveling. That would have been on a short-term basis – the former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez was also discussed at the time – and, like the Spaniard, Capello would have considered the role only on a more permanent basis. The Italian, who does not operate with an agent, has been contacted by brokers claiming to be working on behalf of the club and has expressed his desire to be considered. He has not as yet been offered the job.
Capello resigned as England coach in February and has spent the last three months between Italy, Spain, Dubai, London and at his family home in Lugano. He has received offers from Spain and Russia and, having opted against retirement, is seeking a return to an ambitious leading European club. He has accepted opportunities will be limited in Italy and Spain and, with his compatriot Marcello Lippi having been appointed by Guangzhou Evergrande – an £8m-a-year role for which Capello had also been considered – considers the Premier League his most likely route back.
His reputation may have been damaged in this country by England's toils at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but his record as a club manager remains impressive. He has won nine titles in 16 seasons with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus – his two Juve titles having since been revoked – although his sole success in the Champions League remains the Rossoneri's victory over Barcelona in 1994. His appointment would find favour with the likes of John Terry, whose removal from the England captaincy had prompted the Italian's resignation earlier this year.
Capello still owns an apartment in Chelsea and recently expressed a desire to work in the Premier League. "England would be very interesting for me because I know very well the teams and the players and everything would be less difficult," he said in an interview with The Times this month. "I've refused some really good offers for a lot of money, from clubs in China and different places in the world. I want one more challenge.
"At the end of my career it would be interesting to find a team with big motivation to arrive at the top. I want to manage a team that is able to play in the Champions League and fight for lots of trophies. If I don't find the kind of club I want I'll return to being a pundit."
Chelsea had quickly identified Guardiola as their primary target following Villas-Boas's sacking but the 41-year-old has reiterated he will now be taking a year-long sabbatical from the game after leaving Barcelona. José Mourinho, another who was under consideration, is to remain at Real Madrid, leaving the likes of the France coach, Laurent Blanc, and Capello as viable alternatives.
Di Matteo, who has claimed the FA Cup and could win the club's first European Cup against Bayern Munich, has intimated in recent weeks that he does not expect to be offered the role on a permanent basis despite his successes during his 10-week spell in temporary charge.
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| Fabio Capello puts himself forward for Chelsea manager's job |
The Italian is due to attend Saturday's Champions League final in Munich, which marks the last game of Roberto Di Matteo's impressive tenure as interim first-team coach. Chelsea are still evaluating who will fill the position vacated by André Villas-Boas in the first week of March but, with their chances of securing Roman Abramovich's first choice – Pep Guardiola – appearing remote, Capello has moved to promote his own candidacy.
The 65-year-old's availability had been explored by intermediaries apparently working with Chelsea's blessing earlier this year once it became clear that Villas-Boas's spell in charge was unraveling. That would have been on a short-term basis – the former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez was also discussed at the time – and, like the Spaniard, Capello would have considered the role only on a more permanent basis. The Italian, who does not operate with an agent, has been contacted by brokers claiming to be working on behalf of the club and has expressed his desire to be considered. He has not as yet been offered the job.
Capello resigned as England coach in February and has spent the last three months between Italy, Spain, Dubai, London and at his family home in Lugano. He has received offers from Spain and Russia and, having opted against retirement, is seeking a return to an ambitious leading European club. He has accepted opportunities will be limited in Italy and Spain and, with his compatriot Marcello Lippi having been appointed by Guangzhou Evergrande – an £8m-a-year role for which Capello had also been considered – considers the Premier League his most likely route back.
His reputation may have been damaged in this country by England's toils at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but his record as a club manager remains impressive. He has won nine titles in 16 seasons with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus – his two Juve titles having since been revoked – although his sole success in the Champions League remains the Rossoneri's victory over Barcelona in 1994. His appointment would find favour with the likes of John Terry, whose removal from the England captaincy had prompted the Italian's resignation earlier this year.
Capello still owns an apartment in Chelsea and recently expressed a desire to work in the Premier League. "England would be very interesting for me because I know very well the teams and the players and everything would be less difficult," he said in an interview with The Times this month. "I've refused some really good offers for a lot of money, from clubs in China and different places in the world. I want one more challenge.
"At the end of my career it would be interesting to find a team with big motivation to arrive at the top. I want to manage a team that is able to play in the Champions League and fight for lots of trophies. If I don't find the kind of club I want I'll return to being a pundit."
Chelsea had quickly identified Guardiola as their primary target following Villas-Boas's sacking but the 41-year-old has reiterated he will now be taking a year-long sabbatical from the game after leaving Barcelona. José Mourinho, another who was under consideration, is to remain at Real Madrid, leaving the likes of the France coach, Laurent Blanc, and Capello as viable alternatives.
Di Matteo, who has claimed the FA Cup and could win the club's first European Cup against Bayern Munich, has intimated in recent weeks that he does not expect to be offered the role on a permanent basis despite his successes during his 10-week spell in temporary charge.
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