ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello has called on club managers 'to respect me' and to stop publicly criticising the performances of the national side ahead of the opening World Cup qualifier with Andorra.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp launched a particularly scathing attack after England's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Wembley last month.
Capello makes a point of never giving opinions about the dozens of club games he witnesses up and down the country and he wants other managers and coaches to follow suit in terms of England.
He said: "Have I had enough support from the clubs? Yes, I speak with the managers to check the different positions of some players and football matters and they are always friendly with me.
"But I also make a point of not talking about any of the club games that I see. I'm the present England manager and I respect the club managers.
"The other managers have to respect me. They support me enough, all the managers. But I'd prefer it if other managers didn't comment on England's performances.
"As the president of the England League Managers' Asosciation, I feel there should be respect both ways.
"Was I surprised of the strength of Harry Redknapp's criticism? I think, sometimes, it's okay. Sometimes it's not okay. It depends on the opinion everyone has about football. But I never speak about other teams."
Capello also made it clear he only wants players in his squad who are fully committed to England.
His comments followed on from former England defender Jamie Carragher who said he hurt more when on the losing side with Liverpool than his country.
Capello said: "I remember my country (Italy) and in other countries I've managed, like Spain also, that all the players like to play with their national team.
"My message is, if you don't have the heart for the national team 'stay at home'.
"The players here have the heart for the national team. The players here have to sacrifice something to be proud to be here. That's very important. They have to be proud to be here.
"They have to have heart and pride in the badge. The players who are here have that and also I know that Steven Gerrard was disappointed not to be here (after surgery). That is important for me.
"We are now into competitive matches and now we need to play hard, to play for the England shirt, and that's very important. But we also have to play for the result."
Meanwhile Capello remains confident that centre-back Rio Ferdinand will be fit for the more demanding test against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday.
The Manchester United defender and new England vice-captain has been ruled out of the Andorra clash with a stiff neck.
"We won't be sure 100% on Rio Ferdinand because he's not fit tonight. He will not be in the first eleven, for sure. He's the only one at this moment who's not fit," Capello added.
"He will be fit for Croatia. He told me this is a normal injury for him. Usually it takes one or two days maximum. This time it's taking more."
Capello makes a point of never giving opinions about the dozens of club games he witnesses up and down the country and he wants other managers and coaches to follow suit in terms of England.
He said: "Have I had enough support from the clubs? Yes, I speak with the managers to check the different positions of some players and football matters and they are always friendly with me.
"But I also make a point of not talking about any of the club games that I see. I'm the present England manager and I respect the club managers.
"The other managers have to respect me. They support me enough, all the managers. But I'd prefer it if other managers didn't comment on England's performances.
"As the president of the England League Managers' Asosciation, I feel there should be respect both ways.
"Was I surprised of the strength of Harry Redknapp's criticism? I think, sometimes, it's okay. Sometimes it's not okay. It depends on the opinion everyone has about football. But I never speak about other teams."
Capello also made it clear he only wants players in his squad who are fully committed to England.
His comments followed on from former England defender Jamie Carragher who said he hurt more when on the losing side with Liverpool than his country.
Capello said: "I remember my country (Italy) and in other countries I've managed, like Spain also, that all the players like to play with their national team.
"My message is, if you don't have the heart for the national team 'stay at home'.
"The players here have the heart for the national team. The players here have to sacrifice something to be proud to be here. That's very important. They have to be proud to be here.
"They have to have heart and pride in the badge. The players who are here have that and also I know that Steven Gerrard was disappointed not to be here (after surgery). That is important for me.
"We are now into competitive matches and now we need to play hard, to play for the England shirt, and that's very important. But we also have to play for the result."
Meanwhile Capello remains confident that centre-back Rio Ferdinand will be fit for the more demanding test against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday.
The Manchester United defender and new England vice-captain has been ruled out of the Andorra clash with a stiff neck.
"We won't be sure 100% on Rio Ferdinand because he's not fit tonight. He will not be in the first eleven, for sure. He's the only one at this moment who's not fit," Capello added.
"He will be fit for Croatia. He told me this is a normal injury for him. Usually it takes one or two days maximum. This time it's taking more."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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