Capello replacement must be English, says Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the vacancy left by Fabio Capello’s departure should be filled by an English manager.

Capello stepped down as England boss on Wednesday after feeling undermined by the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the national tam captaincy as he defends himself against racial abuse charges.

England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce had stepped into Capello’s role on an interim basis, and Wenger says his long-term replacement should be an Englishman.

“I have always been straight in (suggesting an Englishman should be next),” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“Not because I think an English manager can do a better job than any foreign guy, just because you represent your country and it is better if the manager is from there. Especially in a big football country like England.”

“It’s now down to the FA to make the right decision and you will not be surprised when I tell you I do not want to interfere with that.”

The Frenchman said he had been surprised at the “extreme situation” that transpired following Terry’s racism trial and Capello’s irritable reaction to his sacking as captain.

And Wenger said Capello was right to insist on being able to choose his captain.

“When the decision came out from the FA, I said that the choice of captain is down to the manager,” he said.

“You (the manager) pick your team, you choose your captain. I did not expect such an extreme situation but it looks like there was already some turbulence there and that was just the final straw.”

“I am sad that Capello leaves four months before such an important competition, it is a big blow for England and I am sad for him.”