Capello appointed new England manager

New Delhi: Fabio Capello has been appointed the new England manager by the Football Association for a term of four-and-half years.

The Italian clinched the deal for about £6 million a year. Sixty-one-year-old Capello will join the England squad on January 7 next year.

Capello was the first choice replacement for sacked Steve McClaren and the only one to be interviewed for the post.

In his 16 years as coach, Capello has guided his teams to nine league championships besides being an accomplished player himself, who won 32 caps for Italy.

With England failing to qualify for Euro 2008, his first competitive game will be a World Cup qualifier on September 6.