When Capello was named as Steve McClaren's successor in December 2007 he was handed a £6million-a-year contract until the summer of 2012.

Crucially though, it contained an escape clause which meant either the Italian, or the FA, could terminate at the end of this year's World Cup.

As the 63-year-old has been linked with several jobs, it was felt increasingly likely that Capello would opt to move on, having fulfilled his desire to manage in the international arena.

However, Press Association Sport understands Capello asked for the clause to be removed, and the FA were only too happy to oblige.

There was never any doubt the FA wanted Capello to stay, given the vast improvement in fortunes following his arrival in the wake of the Three Lions' spectacular failure to reach Euro 2008.

But it seems Capello still has more to give too, meaning negotiations with FA chairman Lord Triesman and international board member Sir David Richards were concluded with maximum efficiency.

The Italian always coveted the England job because he was totally perplexed as to how players who perform so well for their clubs, should be totally unable to transfer that form into international matches.

There have been glimpses of Capello discovering a solution, particularly with home and away defeats of Croatia during World Cup qualifying.

And with the Euro 2012 qualifiers pitting England against Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales and Montenegro, he has no desire to abandon the project yet, no matter what fate awaits England in South Africa next month.

"I have a contract with the FA and it will finish when they decide to sack me," he reflected.

"I love this club and love this country but I don't think about my future. My future is the World Cup."

Like most international managers, Capello gets frustrated by the limited amount of time he gets to spend with his players.

It is one of the reasons why the next two weeks are so crucial to England's World Cup hopes given that on Monday, his 30-man provisional squad - minus Gareth Barry - will head to Austria for the first of two altitude training camps.

England will return to their retreat in Irdning two days after the Wembley friendly with Mexico on May 24, completing their preparations in Graz on May 30 with a final work-out against Japan before departing for their Rustenburg World Cup base on June 2.

"Managing a national team has been a new experience for me," said Capello.

"I discovered new things about what I have to do and the relationship between the players and the manager.

"Now we are arriving at the most important moment. I understand the pressure, the confidence of the country in this team and it is really exciting.

"I am very focused."

Capello is also optimistic.

After hand-picking a succession of high-ranking friendly opponents, he now understands the quality at his disposal.

Whilst it could be argued England have lost to France, Spain and Brazil over the past 26 months, Capello has been able to pick plenty out that makes him believe his side have a genuine chance of being involved in the final at Soccer City on July 11.

"I am sure we are strong," he said.

"The only big team we haven't played against is Argentina.

"We lost some of those games but I understood a lot.

"We did not play any of those matches at home either, which is important.

"I know the value of my team and know the value of other teams."