Thaindian News

London, Aug 8(ANI): England manager Fabio Capello has admitted that he feared the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign was doomed to fail even before it began as his players were not fit.

Capello insists that his players were physically tired in their three warm-up games and did not recover in time for the tournament.

“We played Egypt in March and the players were in a good situation, but that changed when we played the friendlies before the World Cup. They were not the same physically,” News of The World quoted Capello, as saying.

“We knew it before the World Cup. I spoke with my staff, but I could not say it publicly because psychologically it is not good for the players.”

“When we started to play I could understand that we were tired in games against Mexico, Japan and even the Platinum Stars game in South Africa. We tried to do everything. I was worried. I spoke with the doctors and the fitness coach Massimo Neri, but the situation was a mentality problem,” he added.

During the World Cup, England had struggled to qualify from their Group C, drawing with the United States and Algeria, and was later humiliated by Germany in the Round of 16.

Capello further said that he would not alter his management style when he begins preparations for next month’s 2012 European Championships qualification campaign.

“I won’t do anything differently because we only have a short time with the players. I will just try to create the spirit of the group,” he added.

The Italian will start over again when he begins preparations for Wednesday’s friendly with Hungary at Wembley. (ANI)