London, June 8 (IANS) Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff feels that with Fabio Capello in charge, England have no chance of lifting the World Cup in South Africa.
Cruyff feels that the growing influence of Italian coaches was part of a wider problem in English football suggesting that Capello as well as Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti have been responsible for a mentality shift that prioritises the result alone.
‘With Capello on the bench, all the world knows how England will play. It’s a curious situation in England,’ Cruyff told The Mirror.
‘The Italian coaches are influencing the philosophy. There are the examples of Ancelotti, Mancini and Capello. England now have many similarities to Italy. The mentality has changed and now they are only interested in the result.
‘After the failure in Germany in 2006, now England needs a great spectacle but that is impossible with Capello as coach,’ Cryuff added.
There are more favourable forecasts for the traditionally more expansive nations from the man who has long been associated with the application of ‘total football’.
The former Barcelona player, however, feels that Spain, Brazil and Argentina are the teams to claim the Jules Rimet. But he reserved his assessment for his own nation Holland.
‘If Spain can show their quality on the pitch then they can aspire to great success. But they must improve with each game without suffering from growing pressure. They must show the same pride and quality that they did at euro 2008 to win the World Cup.
‘It would be unfair for Argentina just to rely on Lionel Messi. Their system and team must be strong and they must make changes when necessary to make sure his work is not lost.
‘Brazil have incredible talent and they are different now. Now they have a big keeper, a good defence and a more European style. They can be more negative. For me now, Spain is the Brazil in this World Cup.
‘Holland has some good players but the stars don’t play in Holland. Without playing in Holland, it’s impossible for the team to improve long term,’ he said.
