Van Nistelrooy: England still a chance despite Capello exit

Malaga striker Ruud van Nistelrooy says England are still in contention for the Euro 2012 title despite losing manager Fabio Capello.

Capello resigned on Wednesday when the Football Association decided to strip John Terry of the captaincy after the Chelsea defender was charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in October.

Van Nistelrooy acknowledged that the disgreement with the FA must have been severe for Capello to make the decision to quit.

“When I found out about the story I could not believe it,” he told Goal.com.

“I thought it was simply a rumour, but now everything has been confirmed.”

“I know English football well and I am sure there will be a commotion there because to leave the national team with just over three months to the European Championships is a very serious issue.”

“I do not know the motives but it must have been something big for Fabio to have left the post. This won’t be just a small difference with the Federation.”

“This is not good news for England ahead of the Euros. Now a new coach will come in, with new ideas and perhaps new players in the team. In any case, England are one of the candidates to win the Euros because of their history and their quality.”

Having played under Capello at Real Madrid, Van Nistelrooy said the Italian’s feud with the FA is not a surprise.

“For Capello, the captaincy is not an anecdote,” the striker said.

“He has always looked for players who are a reference and who have charisma.”

“Therefore, if he chose someone and they (the FA) changed that, his reaction does not surprise me.”

The Netherlands international, who spent five years in the Premier League with Manchester United, then said that former team-mate Rio Ferdinand would be a good choice to wear the England armband.

“Rio Ferdinand could be perfect because he meets all the conditions,” he said.