Vienna Philharmonic more entertaining than my England side, says culture vulture Fabio

Art attack: England boss Capello

England's 61-year-old head coach, who replaced the "Wally with the Brolly" Steve McClaren,  insisted that watching the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  at the Barbican was more enjoyable than seeing England at work.  

The culture-loving Italian also revealed, in an interview with Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, his relish for London's art galleries, museums and  restaurants.

And in contrast to McClaren's predecessor Sven Goran Eriksson, Capello sang the praises of England's national press. 

"The best thing about my six months in England has been a fantastic concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, which I went to in February," Capello  declared. "It was conducted by the Russian Valery Gergiev, who is one of the best conductors around.

"We have become friends, and he is a big football  fan.  

"I have also been to see a beautiful collection of Antoni Tapies paintings at  the Waddington Galleries. His pictures trigger off amazing sensations, as do Gergiev's concerts. 

"London is a city that has everything and more. You just need the will to explore it - there is nothing that is missing.  

"My preferences are the opera, theatres, musicals, museums and art  galleries. I don't yet go to the cinema, as my English is not yet  perfect.  

"I already know virtually all the museums. I have not yet had the time to revisit the Tate Modern, which is a magnificent museum of modern art, but I have been back to the British Museum more than once.  

"I always start off there looking at the Rosetta Stone. It is the key to translating Egyptian hieroglyphics, and it gets me going every time."

Signed, sealed, delivered: Capello signs autographs during a coaching clinic for local children in Trinidad

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach also revealed what we already knew - that he has a taste for the finer things in life.

He added: "You can eat really well in London, and the standards of the restaurants are very high. Prices are high too, but haute cuisine does not come cheap.  

"I prefer Japanese or Chinese food, as well as some of the good Italian restaurants."

Capello also hailed England's players in the wake of their, largely meaningless 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday.  

"I am happy, because the England team has made noticeable progress in just  four games," he said. "The Trinidad game could have been tricky - it was the last game of the season, and the players could have been thinking about their holidays.  

"But instead they are continuing to improve, step by step.  

"I have been learning English, and these last two weeks have been the most intense. I finally understand the players' mentality, and their ways of living and doing things.  

"I have highly-skilled players. They follow me, I follow them, and they have accepted my ways of managing the squad - both in the team hotel and on the field.  

"I have not had any surprises in London. It was and remains a marvellous place, where you can live very well."

Capello left special praise for the press pack which hangs on his every word. Describing how they have treated him with respect.

"The English press has been a big surprise," he said. "I thought they would be less excited about football, but every paper has much bigger sports coverage than their Italian counterparts.  

"That includes papers that cover politics as well as the tabloids. And they have treated me in an educated fashion - at least until now!"