England physio Lewin backs Capello to have Wenger effect

In his first interview since leaving the Gunners after 22 years as physiotherapist at Arsenal to join Capello full-time, Lewin revealed the similarities he has already spotted in the men.

Lewin witnessed first-hand how Wenger transformed the philosophy of Arsenal on and off the pitch from the moment the Frenchman arrived in 1996.

Capello - plotting to restore England's reputation by qualifying for the 2010 World Cup - has already made big changes just six months into his job.

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And Lewin, a part-timer with England for 12 years, is so convinced by the Italian's management style he has agreed to become the team's first full-time physiotherapist.

'I love Arsenal so it was a hard decision,' said the 44-year-old.

'The Football Association presented me with a tremendous challenge and, in the end, I couldn't resist it. I want to be part of it.

Capello: 'Different dimension'

'I think Fabio Capello can be as influential and successful as Arsene has been at Arsenal. He's already had the kind of effect that Arsene had when he arrived at Highbury in 1996.

'He's brought a different dimension to the way the players prepare for games. He's also stressed the importance of many traditional values - like wanting to play and win for your country.

'He knows how to get the best out of the players and it's noticeable that they want to do their best for him. I remember Arsene having a similar effect when he arrived at Arsenal.'

An apprentice goalkeeper in the Pat Jennings days at Highbury, Lewin failed to make the grade but returned to the club when he was appointed Arsenal physiotherapst by George Graham.

He is now regarded as one of the most knowledgeable physios in world football and showed how valuable his services are on the big stage when coming to the aid of John Terry after the Chelsea defender was kicked in the face during the 2007 Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium against Arsenal.

Previous England managers, most notably Sven-Goran Eriksson, promoted the idea of a full-time physiotherapist partly to dispel any fear of bias among Arsenal's big rivals in the Premier League.

Now that Lewin is in the role he can see how both England and the clubs will benefit.

'The main priority is to have an independent medical team with England,' said Lewin.

'It's an area that some clubs have been uncomfortable with. In the 12 years I've done the job I hope I've proved there is no conflict of interest - but there should be independence.

'Everyone understands the physio has to be with the players for the build-up and for the match itself. The day I arrive I'd put on my England hat but after the match I'd put back on my Arsenal hat.

'There was no continuity between games. I wouldn't dream of contacting an England player once the match was over.

'Now, though, I will have the opportunity to build up players' medical profiles and talk to them and their clubs between matches. So, when Fabio sits down to select a squad he will get a private and detailed medical report from me rather than having to phone round all the managers.'

One of the major reasons for Lewin taking the job was the prospect of travelling the world between matches, learning about the best practices in the field of sports medicine.

'The FA want the England set-up to embrace the best medical practices from around the world,' he said.

'I'm going to find out, for instance, why they have so many fantastic sports physios in South Africa andwhy the Australian Institute of Sport is regarded as one of the best academies in the world.

'Why are British rowers so successful and why have our cyclists emerged so positively in recent years? I find the research side of the job stimulating.

'And, of course, I've already had a taste of it with the foreign players at Arsenal. Quite recently, for instance, I went to Brazil to check on Eduardo's progress and visit the rehabilitation centre there. Hopefully, I will be able to bring some of this foreign expertise to the FA and share it with the clubs, too.'

Armed with this knowledge and backed by the experience he has gained with club and country, Lewin hopes to play an important part in the Capello revolution, just as he did in Wenger's.