Capello 'world class' boasts Barwick

Fabio Capello was officially unveiled as the new England manager on Monday having signed a four-and-a-half-year contract last week worth £6.5million a year.

From the moment Steve McClaren was dismissed in the wake of England's sorry failure to reach Euro 2008, FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking pledged to scour the planet for a "world-class" replacement.

"I am delighted to welcome Fabio Capello as the new England manager," said Barwick.

"I think we have an outstanding man with an outstanding record and I look forward to working with him from January 7 next year. After the Croatia game the mandate of the FA board was to identify the next England manager.

"Whilst at the World Cup draw in South Africa I took time out to think about the attributes needed to do the toughest jobs in football.

"It is well known I met and spoke to a number of leading figures in the game here and abroad. I wasn't just seeking a name, but also their views on the England set up.

"While the information was invaluable there was no doubt Trevor and I were always clear about the calibre of man we were looking for.

"We knew the next appointment had to be somebody of world-class status, a man with a strong personality, vast experience, a coach used to handling big players, big matches and big in-match situations, a man who is tactically astute, adaptable, of proven pedigree, mature and who can handle a big job with the pressures that go with it.

"A winner with a capital 'W'. That was the template, this is the man. Fabio Capello."