Author Topic: The Real Don – Fabio Capello (Read 218 times)

Woozie · « **on:** May 21, 2005, 02:23:46 PM »

Capello had a 4-0 victory over a wonderful Barcelona side in the European Cup final of ’94. Since then, he has consistently proven to be the very best.
A string of titles at Milan. Then to Real Madrid. The Meringues at that time were in poor shape; not for long however. Along with the former president Sanz, a string of masterful signings from Capello transformed Madrid and gave them a foundation which led to their successes in the last decade: Mijatovic, Roberto Carlos, Suker, Seedorf to name but some. Needless to say, Madrid won the title that year, the only season The Don spent in the Spanish capital. The next season with the same team Real won the European Cup once again. Perhaps one day he will return to perhaps the most famous club in the world.

It was a surprise when he was announced as the new Roma coach. Perhaps Capello likes a challenge, as the team from the capital had not won Serie A since the eighties. Once again the transfer market was dipped into and an ageing Gabriel Batistuta was signed for a massive $30m. The fee was, however justified. Batigol along with Totti et al gave Roma the Serie A title in Capello’s first season in charge, a remarkable achievement considering the competition.

Unfortunately for Roma they are experiencing ‘Capello fallout’ this season. It highlights the achievements of the The Don, true he took Emerson with him to Juve, but there was more to Roma than the Brazilian.

When he had taken the job at Juventus the Old Lady was in for some success. It would have been premature to say Juve would win the title this season but after their wonderful win against the Rossoneri, they were odds on favourites. Emerson, Cannavaro and Ibrahimovic gave a new spine to a team that craved new blood. It was a fantastic achievement for Juve to win the title. With a mostly injured Trezeguet, and an up and down Del Piero, it hasn't stopped Juventus topping the table for most of the season, with arguably an inferior squad to the close competition.

Although undone by the tactically brilliant Benitez in Europe, Capello has cemented his position as the top coach in world football. It is ironic that Mourinho, a budding master, also lost out to the Spaniard’s tactics in Europe this year.

The only thing left for Don Capello is the international stage. If he can achieve things with Italy in the future, Capello will be a name never to be forgotten.

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