Capello may name Becks as captain when he wins 100th cap against Switzerland

The Italian, whose appointment was approved by the FA last night, will be aware of the Beckham factor as he takes his first tentative steps as the nation's footballing messiah.

And with Becks on 99 caps, the Swiss game is an obvious opportunity for the 61-year-old to cement himself in the affections of England fans.

Capello's move to England was less prominent than other Italian newspapers in Rome-based sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

But Corriere mentioned the player he once excluded from his Real Madrid team, David Beckham, who bounced back to help the Spanish team win the Primera Liga under Capello.

"Capello is already thinking about Beckham," the paper said. "David will be an important player for the new England."

Capello was sacked by Real Madrid in June despite winning the Primera Liga title because his tactics were seen as boring.

England fans, though, will not care too much about the style of play as long as it brings winning results.

"How can players with the quality of David Beckham and Michael Owen perform so differently when playing for their country? It is clear the shirt weighs heavy even for these winners," Capello wrote recently.

"In these situations the coach's role is fundamental and he needs to be more psychologist than tactician or technician. The obvious explanation is that there is a mental block."