Zola backs Capello
Former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola claimed Thursday that compatriot Fabio Capello would make an ideal England manager following Steve McClaren's sacking earlier in the day.
Zola was speaking to Italian radio station Rai 2 in response to Capello's comments from Wednesday evening when he said he was interested in the England post - even before McClaren's sacking.
"First of all I have to say I'm very disappointed because clearly in the (England) national team, however they play, some of them are my friends," said Zola.
"Seeing them missing out of the European Championships makes me very sad."
Zola stopped short of evaluating England performances or commenting on who he felt was the right man for the job, but he did give Capello his backing.
"I have not often seen England play this year so I cannot make technical comments. Of course, it's a delicate moment in the national set-up: there are important choices to make," he added.
"I think that for this job they (the English FA) want someone of great ability. I believe that Capello is amongst the best."
Former Real Madrid and AC Milan coach Capello, who was fired from Real in the summer despite winning the Spanish title in his only season in charge, was quick to declare his interest in the England job.
The Italian has been working as an expert summariser for Italian TV channel Rai this season and told them: "Me to coach England? It would be a challenge, a beautiful test to overcome and I would have the right age."
Zola is well known in England having played for Chelsea for seven years, being named Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1997.
He was also voted Chelsea's greatest ever player.
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