Carragher enticed back by Fabio factor
ENGLAND defender Jamie Carragher admits Fabio Capello was a decisive factor in his decision to come out of international retirement.
Carragher turned his back on England in 2007 after becoming frustrated that his consistency at club level had not earned him more than a bit-part role. But Capello enticed the centre-back, 32, back for this summer’s World Cup, following injury concerns at the heart of his defence.
And Carragher has revealed that the chance to work under the decorated Italian coach helped convince him to go back on his decision.
“The chance to work with Mr Capello was important in my decision to return to international football,” he said. “He has been one of the best managers in football over the last 10 or 15 years. I’m a big follower of football and I was always asking Steve [Gerrard] what it was like when he came back from international duty, asking what the manager was like.
“So the manager was a massive reason behind my decision.”
The Reds stalwart is currently in Austria where the bulk of Capello’s provisional squad are undertaking altitude training ahead of the tournament, and Carragher is determined to show that he was worth pursuing.
“Hopefully over the next two weeks I can impress him and get into that squad,” he added. “The chance to try and get into the final squad was one I couldn’t turn down.”