As he celebrates his 80th birthday, legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello has taken a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the finest players he has managed, the one who infuriated him most, and the mentor who was “lightyears ahead.” In an interview with Football Italia, the former Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid boss offered his trademark candour.
Quick Facts
Birthday: 18 June 1946
Playing career: SPAL, Roma, Juventus, Milan (4 Serie A titles)
Managerial career: Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus, England, Russia
Coaching honours: 7 Serie A titles, 2 La Liga, 1 Champions League
The Best He Has Ever Coached
Capello has worked with a galaxy of footballing greats, but one stands above all others: the Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo Nazário. The pair were together at Real Madrid during the 2006-07 season, and despite Ronaldo’s injury troubles, Capello saw the genius up close.
“The best player I have ever coached is Ronaldo, the Brazilian Ronaldo,” Capello said. “When he was fit, he was unstoppable. The power, the skill, the intelligence – he had everything. He was simply a gift to football.”
Capello’s admiration for Ronaldo is well-documented, and even at 80, he still holds the striker in the highest regard.
‘Cassano Made Me Too Angry’
For all the talent he has nurtured, few players frustrated Capello like Antonio Cassano. The enigmatic forward played under Capello at Roma and Real Madrid, showing flashes of brilliance but often testing his manager’s patience.
“Cassano made me too angry,” Capello admitted. “He had the talent to be one of the all-time greats, but he didn’t have the head. I tried everything to help him, but sometimes it was impossible. I still care for him, though – he’s a good lad.”
Cassano’s career, while glittering at times, never quite reached the heights his early promise suggested, a source of enduring regret for Capello.
The Genius of Helenio Herrera
Capello also paid tribute to the man who shaped his own coaching philosophy: the legendary Helenio Herrera, under whom Capello played and later coached at Roma. Herrera, known as “Il Mago” (The Magician), pioneered the catenaccio system and was a master motivator.
“Herrera was lightyears ahead,” Capello said. “He understood football in a way nobody else did at the time. His psychological approach, his preparation, his attention to detail – I learned so much from him. He was a true visionary.”
Key Takeaways
- Fabio Capello turns 80 and reflects on a remarkable career spanning over five decades as player and coach.
- He names Ronaldo Nazário as the greatest player he ever managed, praising his all-round brilliance.
- Antonio Cassano remains a source of frustration – a supreme talent let down by his temperament.
- Capello credits Helenio Herrera as the most influential figure in his coaching development.
- Despite the fiery moments, Capello’s legacy as one of the all-time managerial greats is secure.
As reported by Football Italia.
