Qatar 2022: Capello to England,behold your finest hour

Former England boss Fabio Capello has said this year’s World Cup, to be played in November and December, gives the Three Lions a strong chance of winning the tournament.

Due to the brutal heat of the high season in Qatar, this year’s tournament was moved from its usual post-European season slot to the end of the calendar year.

In an interview with The sunCapello, who led England for five years between 2007 and 2012, said the English stars entering the tournament ‘fresh’ will give them a great chance to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

He said: “As England manager I have always said that in September, October and November you can play against any team in the world  we are fresh, we run, the mind is clear and clean.”

He added: ‘The next World Cup for England is really very good. I really think so.

“It has come at the best time for English football and the English players. They will be fresh. Not after 63 games, like Liverpool (this season).’

Meanwhile, Capello said he has fond memories of his time with England, despite difficulties during his tenure.

The Italian suggested that the only negative memory he had of his time with the national team was Frank Lampard’s failure to score in the last-16 match of the 2010 World Cup against Germany in Bloemfontein.

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England had cut their deficit in half through Matthew Upson before Lampard’s strike was controversially deemed not to have crossed the line despite clearly bouncing across the line.

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach said: “I am disappointed with that game we played against Germany, Lampard’s ‘goal’. The referee missed this “goal”, the linesman was worse. Then they set up the goal-line technology. “I have nothing but good memories of my time with England.