Capello Threatens To Step Down

Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has claimed that he will step down from his role if he does not get the proper support from Russia’s football Federation. After leaving his post as the England national team boss, Capello took up his second international job as the manager of Russia. Like the England national team, he has not enjoyed major success with Russia. His dismal record at World Cup continued after managing just one victory in six matches so far. This has led to Russia being knocked out of the World Cup 2014 at the group stages and raising a lot of questions about Capello’s future.

Due to his astronomical salary of £ 6 million per season, Capello is being put under enormous pressure by the Russian FA in order to deliver the results. Ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, Russia will be expected to win their first few matches. The team starts with a friendly against Azerbaijan in the first week of September before taking on Liechtenstein on September 8. Russia are expected to comfortably win this match, but the real test starts from October when they take on the likes of Sweden and Moldova before Austria in November.

Capello has warned the Russian football Federation that he will have no doubts about quitting if he is continued to be not supported properly. Capello is no stranger to quitting the job, as he left the England job citing similar reasons just before the Euro 2012. “When we went to the World Cup, everyone was happy. Football hinges on moments. The ball – is it in the net or not? I work with enthusiasm. If I see support from those around me … If that belief stops, don’t worry, I will quit,” said Capello, who is Russia will host the next World Cup.

Hitzfield Steps Down As Manager

Swiss national team boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has announced that his job as a manager is over. Hitzfeld is regarded as one of the top coaches in the world. He has been in charge of several great teams like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid over the years. After his long career with clubs, Hitzfeld has been managing national teams like Switzerland in the last few years. He has been relatively successful at international level as well. Recently, he almost got Switzerland into the semi-finals of the World Cup, which would have been a major achievement.

They managed to keep out little Messi and Angel di Maria for much of the 119 minutes and it was only in the final minute of extra time that they scored to send Argentina into the semi-finals. Even though Switzerland now leave the competition, they can do so with their head held high because of the turnaround in fortunes. Hitzfeld was shocked to see his Switzerland team all over the place in the 5-2 defeat against France. Since then, they have recovered quite well and it is a mark of the manager.

Hitzfeld will now be working as a television pundit. He commands the respect of top managers like Sir Alex Ferguson. He won the Champions League with two different teams. “My job as a coach has finished. I’m proud of my career. I don’t lose when I work on TV. I’ve had some marvellous teams. Every moment in football sticks in your memory. It’s been a great honour and I have a heart full of emotion,” said Hitzfeld. Switzerland will now start their search for a new manager and they will hope to appoint him before the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying. Switzerland are in the same group along with England, Slovenia, and Estonia.