In an extensive interview with Flashscore, Fabio Capello discussed a variety of subjects. Dive into his insights regarding Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and the upcoming World Cup.
You had the opportunity to coach Carlo Ancelotti and witnessed his transformation from player to manager. What can you share about that?
Capello: “I observed his skills and technique on the pitch. He had a remarkable ability to understand the game. Whenever he stepped onto the field, it was evident that he possessed the quality to perceive the game flow and knew precisely how to interact with his teammates—whether through passing or through strategic guidance.
“These are aspects that often get overlooked. Ancelotti was not just dynamic during matches; he truly orchestrated the team’s rhythm through verbal communication and also with the ball, but primarily through his words.
“He was a serious individual. I have known him and still see him occasionally. He deserves the success he’s achieved because he has consistently grasped the expectations of every club he has worked with and aligned his team’s playing style with those demands.
“Accomplishing that is far from easy; it’s a challenging feat. One must be a teacher, and that’s precisely what he has become.
His name has frequently come up in discussions about the Brazilian national team. Do you think he would be a suitable coach for them, considering his style?
“Certainly, his style would complement them, but coaching a national team is a different ball game compared to managing a club. As I always emphasise, having a national team implies the opportunity to gather a group of top-quality players, and success often hinges on that factor.
“I’d say they’ve got Vinicius Junior making a significant impact right now, but I’m uncertain. Perhaps managing Brazil poses a challenge for Carlo , which he seems to enjoy taking on, having triumphed in nearly all endeavors, and this may be the last challenge before he steps away from coaching.”
Let’s discuss the Galacticos era of Real Madrid in comparison to the current squad. Do you see any parallels between these two periods or teams?
“I believe there are some similarities. They certainly are Galacticos. However, they face more challenges integrating on the pitch because (Kylian) Mbappe and Vinicius compete for the same position, which can lead to them getting in each other’s way, affecting their performance.
“Individually, they possess immense qualities, excelling in tight situations where others falter, but they lack cohesion as a unit.
“Up front, they have a star-studded lineup, yet face difficulties in midfield, especially following Toni Kroos’s departure, and in defence due to injuries to (Dani) Carvajal and others.”
You experienced two stints at Real Madrid, with your second tenure culminating in a historic turnaround before your departure. What fond memories do you hold from that season?
“Recovering nine points against Barcelona was unforgettable. It was remarkable because the team appeared lost. I made the bold decision to sell Ronaldo, whom I regard as the best player I’ve ever coached, and along with the chairman, we decided it was time for him to go. Additionally, Beckham’s situation arose, as he had signed with Los Angeles, which offended the club, leading them to wish he ceased playing.
“I sidelined him for 10 days, but David always trained hard, arriving on time and being the last to leave. I approached the chairman, saying: ‘From tomorrow, I’m putting Beckham back on the pitch because he’s a dedicated professional. If that displeases you, feel free to sack me.'”
“And that’s precisely what occurred. Following that decision, we started accumulating points, culminating in our last home game against Mallorca, where we lost 1-0, witnessing our worst display—fearful and disjointed. Yet in the second half, I calmly instructed them on what to do, emphasising a simple message: ‘Go out there and play the way you’ve trained,’ and we won 3-1, ultimately clinching the league title.
“It was truly a unique experience. The team made a remarkable mental leap. I assured them that we were not inferior to Barcelona and that we needed to approach every match as if it were a final.
“Of course, we regained those points due to Barcelona dropping them, but we noticed that they had relaxed, similar to what we’ve seen this season with Barcelona, who once held a substantial lead over Real Madrid, only to relinquish it.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
In a recent interview, Cristiano Ronaldo proclaimed himself to be the greatest player in football history. What are your thoughts on that?
“When someone takes it upon themselves to announce such a title, they’re certainly firm in their beliefs; however, I think there’s a hint of exaggeration in their claim. Essentially, they have played the roles of both student and teacher.
“He is undoubtedly a great player, driven by ambition and determination. However, when I refer to *phenomena*, I mention Messi, Pele, and Maradona , placing Ronaldo —the ‘Gordo‘ and Ronaldo —the ‘Phenomenon‘ just below them in the hierarchy.”
Zidane
Zidane is another coach who has links with both Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as the French national team. Do you believe he is the right man for the job?
“I was impressed by his coaching acumen at Real Madrid. While he had the talent at his disposal, having a top team is not enough. Successfully managing the squad requires skill in guiding and convincing players to align with specific strategies—something he excelled at, thanks to the charisma he demonstrated on the field. Therefore, I believe he is well-equipped to manage the French national team.
“His reluctance to join other clubs indicates to me that he seeks to coach only at the highest level. Afterhis tenure at Real Madrid, the peak could very well be teams like Manchester City or Liverpool.”
World Cup 2026
The World Cup in 2026 will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Do you think this event will assist in elevating football to the number one sport in the United States?
“It will be challenging as there exists a deep-rooted culture of other sports stemming from the university system, so significant effort will be required to establish football as the predominant sport. Nonetheless, this will represent considerable progress.
“We might see some tangible outcomes from this development in about a decade, when the youth who witnessed and attended these World Cups will recognise that the sport can command visibility and economic viability, ultimately leading to success.
“North America is committed to fostering an environment that allows this sport to strive for the top spot in the United States.”
In some ways, they may have a head start, having attracted talents like Lionel Messi to MLS to enhance football’s visibility in America. Do you believe this will make a difference? What’s your take on Messi’s choice to leave Europe?
“It was a decision made for lifestyle reasons; there were no financial issues at play. From what I gather through various reports, it appears he has succeeded in elevating his status. Ronaldo has increased the profile of Saudi Arabia, while Messi has done the same for the United States.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
