Madrid Deny Capello Resignation Reports
(Goal.com) - In a shock declaration Radio Cope claimed that Fabio Capello has submitted his resignation on the eve of the Bayern Munich clash, and that the decision would be announced at 1900, confirming he would step down after the Bayern game.
However, Real Madrid have denied the reports, in the very press conference.
Speculation now is that it will only be announced after tomorrow's game, and that Madrid just came out to restore peace after the radio channel got hold of the news.
According to Radio Cope, the Italian has submitted his resignation, and the club have accepted it.
A formal announcement was supposed to be made at a press conference later this evening, when a club spokesperson would confirm the decision.
It was suggested that Don Fabio would, however, take charge of the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Youth team coach Michel - who has been in the news of late for his remarks about Eto'o - was tipped to take over.
However, Madrid have since denied it, though we continue to hear that he will be leaving come tomorrow evening.
Re-live the press conference as it happened:
1900: There is no confirmation yet, but, what we do know is that the coach met Baldini and Mijatovic earlier today, something he seemed to confirm during his press conference.
1905: A board meeting is taking place, and Real Madrid have also just confirmed there is an emergency press conference scheduled for just after 1900, so there is definitely something happening...
1915: The press conference seems to be starting! club spokesperson Miguel Angel Arroyo is speaking.
1918: Madrid fans can breathe easy, as the club have just denied it. However, the media seem to be sensing something else.
1921: "Real Madrid can confirm that Fabio Capello has not submitted his resignation, either verbally, or in writing," reads out Arroyo.
1921: "This news is a surprise to us, we know nothing about it," continues the statement. "It is an attempt to unsettle the club."
1922: A case of smoke without fire, it seems, though it is strange Madrid held an emergency conference just to issue a denial, and that after an intensive meeting of the board.
1925: The reporters seem unconvinced as well, and one asks if the coach will be in charge of Saturday's clash against Atleti. Arroyo says: "The board still have the same confidence in the coach."
1926: Another asks what would happen if he did resign, and a rather nervous Arroyo declines to comment on speculation.
1927: "Mijatovic has not said anything to me about this. It is not true," he asserts in conclusion, claiming part ignorance.
1928: That's it! The press conference is over, and despite another emergency meet, the club have not confirmed anything.
There is some speculation that the decision will stay inside the boardroom until tomorrow evening!
It is understood that Capello took exception after Mijatovic started influencing club policy, and decided to quit - on his own terms before he got the sack.
Rumours coming out of the Real Madrid camp still suggest that the Bayern game will be his last!
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Comments
Man I know look at all the trouble Beckham has caused at Madrid. He's an over the hill bench warmer. Who does he think he is? And of all things he's English which is nothing to brag about. You know he held out on contract talks with Madrid for ages. He led them on & just kept dragging it out all along knowing he was going to LA. Once the deal with LA was set in stone & he & his new hubby Tom Cruise exchanged vows he told Madrid ..No Thank you! Then he's insulted he was on the bench? He's like a snake. You can't have a snake as a pet. No matter how good you treat it & take care of it sooner or later it's going to turn on you. Thats this guys nature & he's a weak poor player. I hope he gets hit so hard in MLS play that he will be numb from the neck down & in a wheel chair for life. It would serve him right!
Posted by: I hate David (Cruise) Beckham | February 20, 2007 06:10 AM
capello is very smart trying to beat them to
the punch. who cares barcelona champion
Posted by: soccer dr. nyc | February 20, 2007 02:27 PM
I can't see Capello going just yet. They are third in La Liga and are still in competition for Europe. Yes, they had a couple of bad losses at home to boot but they are still in contention. I think that if they keep Capello on into next year they will see very positive results. Beckham will be gone, Robinho will be gone and Ronaldo is already gone. Now he only has to work on getting rid of Cassano and there won't be any more complainers. A hungrier more humble team, which has to listen to the manager and perform if they want to start. Only time will tell.
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 20, 2007 05:13 PM
Giova I agree with you. The main reason they brought Capello to Madrid was not only is he a great manager with a great track record but he cracks the whip! They expected him to bring control to the squad as before he got there it had spun out of control. They wanted him to reel in all the egos' & put them in check. Now they have turned on him & expect him to do his job with one hand tied behind his back as the owners as usual are bending to the whims of all the ego maniacs that they should have unloaded ages ago. If Capello leaves it's Madrids loss, not his. The owners will still be faced with all the problem players. Real Madrid sure is not the classy club it was in the days' of Ferenc Puskas & Alferdo di Stefano. Puskas died earlier in the past 6 months rest his soul, but I bet di Stefano is standing back & looking in at what is going on with players' attitudes at Madrid with disgust. These players in this age have no respect or any honor to speak of. It's all about the money & the rockstar lifestyle.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | February 20, 2007 05:48 PM
Hi rasputin: I normally agrre with you in lots of posts, but I don't think much of capello,every team he coached was overwhelmed by stars,I'd like to see him coach a so/so taem and see what he can do( like Levante in Spain,Reggina in Italy or Bristol in England)besides he always jumps the ship when it's sinking.
Posted by: wolfen | February 20, 2007 11:36 PM
Damm Madrid to Hell! May they be cursed with failure. They brought Capelo in to bring order to the club & then turned on him. I curse Madrid with all the powers of Darkness! May they fail on all levels! Hail the dark lord bring pain to this club!
Posted by: Sheldon Deitch | February 20, 2007 11:46 PM
Funny stuff.
Posted by: um.... | February 21, 2007 10:23 AM