London, Jan 4(ANI): Football Association (FA) Chief Executive Ian Watmore has played down speculations suggesting that the England team’s new manager Fabio Capello will step down soon, saying that he will remain in charge of the team until after Euro 2012.

Earlier, certain media reports had said that Capello might stand down after the summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was seen as the leading contender to replace him.

“Reports linking Roy Hodgson or any manager with the England job post the World Cup are just not true. We expect Fabio Capello to remain in the post for the duration of his contract, which runs through to the summer of 2012,” The Mirror quoted Watmore, as saying.”Fabio Capello has also made it clear that he expects to continue in the role after the World Cup and throughout the Euro 2012 campaign,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini have begun their preparations for the start of the World Cup, which begins on June 11. (ANI)