Life is brisk under Fabio Capello and even the crises arrive early. The traditional disruption is supposed to afflict England later than this. There should be a benefit in extended recovery times, but a broken ankle will make it hard for Ashley Cole to be entirely ready for the World Cup finals. If Capello were to risk including him, the left-back could be the equivalent to David Beckham, who fractured a metatarsal in April 2002 and was not in perfect condition for that year's tournament.
The present England manager wishes he could protect the remaining resources. "Wayne Rooney is in a magical moment," said Capello. "I was speaking to Sir Alex and I told him, 'Please rest him sometimes. I need him more fresh to play in the World Cup.' But he is not the only one who is important for me and plays so much. John Terry and Frank Lampard play every game too – I will have to speak to Carlo Ancelotti about that."
Capello is president of the League Managers Association and was relatively light-hearted while addressing the president's dinner at Wembley yesterday. He knows that United and Chelsea must put their interests first and Terry misses tomorrow's FA Cup tie with Cardiff only because he has flown to Dubai to address personal issues. The prospect of routine wear and tear affecting players will continue to unsettle Capello. Until Rio Ferdinand's suspension ends he cannot know if the new England captain is completely over his back problems. Despite being peeved by the limited time to work with his players, Capello continues to be broadly optimistic. "On 11 July, I hope I will still be in South Africa," he said, referring to the date of the World Cup final.
Should sympathy be of help, it is available in abundance from predecessors. Graham Taylor, Terry Venables and Sven-Goran Eriksson reminisced with occasional intensity at the LMA dinner. Their times as England manager have never left them. The spell in charge resonates most with Taylor even though his tenure preceded the others, ending in 1993.
He had been admired for his work with Watford and Aston Villa, yet matters over which he had no control were to have a lasting effect. Taylor, a good-natured and civilised character, reserves a searing, undiminished anger for one man. Karl-Josef Assenmacher was the referee when Holland virtually ended England's hopes of reaching the 1994 World Cup with a 2-0 win in Rotterdam.
"David Platt breaking through, Ronald Koeman pulling him back," said Taylor, reliving a critical moment and claiming, implausibly, that it does not "rankle" any more. "Fifa had gone on about this professional foul [issue], and the referee didn't send him off. That bloody referee! If you want his name, number, where he lives, have a word with me. It's something I think about now and then."
According to Taylor, the German permitted encroachment at an England set-piece, but booked Paul Ince and ordered a retake of a Holland free-kick. Koeman converted it. "That's when I lost my rag," said Taylor. "I felt we were cheated and I never use that word. That referee never refereed again. He was taken off the list. I thought back then, 'I would love to meet you again' – and I still feel like that.''
Assenmacher had also disallowed a valid goal for Holland. He was indeed ditched by Fifa and his career at Bundesliga level also ended that season. Taylor ceased to be England manager in November 1993.
It will be no comfort, but he was at least spared the torment by shoot-out that afflicts others in the post. Does Venables dwell on the penalties that brought defeat by Germany in the Euro 96 semi-final? "I think about them most nights." He cannot forget, either, the loss to Steaua Bucharest by the same method when he managed Barcelona in the European Cup final 10 years before. His team was incapable of converting any of their four attempts from the spot.
There are breaks in the gloom even with England and Venables's loss to Brazil was the sole defeat in open play over a 23-game tenure. Eriksson, despite being tormented by shoot-outs, had the euphoria of the 5-1 trouncing of Germany in Munich. The Swede accepted the FA's offer the day after Kevin Keegan resigned in October 2000, despite the fact that he was then in charge of the reigning Serie A champions. "If you win the Scudetto with Lazio as I did, you have a rather good life in Rome," said Eriksson. "Some people thought I was crazy and Fabio Capello was one of them. I don't regret it."
He had not anticipated the scrutiny of his entire life that would ensue even though Howard Wilkinson, the caretaker manager in the wake of Keegan's departure, informed him that it was a wonderful job "if you live in Paris". Eriksson still appreciated the opportunity. "Those were wonderful years," he said. "I am proud to have been England coach." The job may be a hair shirt, but few can resist wearing it.
