Capello set to speak up

Capello will use the spare month before he begins his work on January 7 to master a language he has never shown any inclination to speak.

"I want to have learned the language in time to meet with the players next month," The new England manager said. "It is very important to communicate with the players, and I will undertake a strict routine and apply myself every day so I can do that."

Once he has mastered the art of communication, Capello can then work out why England's fortunes nose-dived so drastically during Steve McClaren's ill-fated 18 months in charge.

He will start by going through the entire Euro 2008 qualifying programme, which will not make for pretty viewing, before discussing the situation with the players themselves.

As McClaren suggested at the time of his abrupt departure, England's failure to reach next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland could actually work in his successor's favour.

Two friendlies - Capello's first match in charge against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 and a trip to Paris for an encounter with France the following month - are already arranged, with two more to follow at the end of the season.

After that, Capello expects to have a much clearer idea of England's strengths and weaknesses before next autumn's start of their bid to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I am very lucky to be able to play until next autumn without the pressure and scrutiny of qualification games," he said. "I have four games before June - when I will be able to experiment but more importantly form a group which regains a mentality and a philosophy in the national squad that can get the results.

"English footballers have a will to win and love for their country. It is a question of getting it out of them."