Fabio Capello slams England for 'loser' mentality ahead of World Cup 2018 campaign

'Losers': Fabio Capello's England failed to beat USA and Algeria at the 2010 World Cup
AFP/Getty Images
Tom Dutton11 June 2018

Fabio Capello has slammed England for making "losers’ excuses" following their failures at major tournaments.

The Three Lions have only once reached the last four of a World Cup once since winning the tournament in 1966, and Capello believes their 52-year wait for glory is weighing heavy on the current squad.

The Italian told the BBC: “This never-ending 66, the returning ghost, something with its white tentacles... and you can no longer perform in the way that you should.”

Capello was England boss at the 2010 World Cup, when his side failed to beat USA and Algeria in the group stages before being brushed aside by Germany in the round of 16.

The 71-year-old was later criticised by his players for overseeing a boring training camp in South Africa.

“The other teams get on with it and win. They don’t come up with these excuses. They’re losers’ excuses," Capello said.

“The shirt of the national team can weigh down heavily on a player’s shoulders.

“It’s not a sacrifice, it’s not a prison. These are all things people make up in the wake of defeats."

England have won just two knockout matches without needing penalties since they reached the semi-finals of Italia 90.

And when that statistic was put to Capello, he explained that several players are unable to produce their best football in the heat of World Cup competition.

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The Italian added: “The pressure of a World Cup is something different.

“Unfortunately it’s hard to understand what happens to many players in that environment.”

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