Football Association board approves appointment of Capello as England manager

FA officials have been locked in talks with the 61-year-old Italian's advisors all day going through the final details of a contract.

Those discussions will continue tomorrow but the deal is all but done.

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "Discussions have continued throughout the day between the FA and Fabio Capello's advisors.

"The FA board has also today approved Capello's appointment as England manager subject to the successful conclusion of these contract negotiations.

"These will continue tomorrow. I want to stress that there are no problems and that we are going through the necessary process to reach a successful conclusion.

"Understandably at this time we are unable to confirm any media activity that may take place. We will provide an update tomorrow."

Capello is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year contract that will pay him in the region of £6million a year, with a two-year option to take England to the 2012 European Championship as well as the 2010 World Cup.

Radio phone-in programmes were full of callers discussing what Capello would have to do to turn England into a world force following their failure to qualify for Euro 2008, not to mention failing to reach a major final since winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966.

His reputation as a no-nonsense operator seemed to be generally well-received as many callers felt that the multi-millionaire players performing for England needed an authoritative figure to deflate their egos.

Capello was sacked by Real Madrid at the end of last season after winning the Spanish League title and has since been working as a TV analyst.

Former England head coach Sven Goran Eriksson believes the FA "cannot go wrong" with Capello.

Eriksson said: "I have known Fabio Capello for many years. I was his opponent in Serie A for 10 years. He is a very good man and manager. His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy.

"When you talk about that level [international] and mention (Jose) Mourinho, (Marcello) Lippi, Capello, (Sir Alex) Ferguson and (Arsene) Wenger you cannot go wrong - because they are all good managers.

"Of course, Capello will treat the players right. But all the people I have told you about can do it.

"If you are winning big titles you always have big stars in your team. Capello is one of the best managers you can find."