Addio, Fabio

The media are pronouncing themselves shocked that the hatchet-faced moneygrubber,  Fabio Capello, has resigned from his job as England football manager. Leaving aside the fact that Fabio seems to be a man who never knowingly walks away from a paycheque, I have to say I'm shocked that they're shocked.

Anyone who has worked in business for any period of time will know that once a CEO falls out with his Board of Directors, it's in the best interests of all concerned to end the relationship as quickly and cleanly as possible. Considering Capello's record since he took the job -- the ludicrous and ill-advised "Capello Index" money spinner, the firing and then reinstatement of team captain and serial recidivist John Terry over allegations of an affair with a team-mate's girlfriend, and most of all, the team's abysmal performance at the World Cup in 2010, just weeks after he had bamboozled the Football Association into extending his contract -- the only surprise is that he's lasted this long.

There's a fascinating (albeit long) story here about a recent falling out between the CEO of a major New York bank and his Board, which illustrates very clearly why it's best just to cut bait and move on. (Disclosure: I know the CEO in question, Bob Kelly,  though not well).  

Thanks to the Football Association's mismanagement,  barely four months before the next major tournament, the England team has no manager and no captain in place.  Still, I suppose it will provide the best possible excuse if they turn in another sub-par performance in Poland and Ukraine come June.

So away goes Fabio Capello, millions of pounds richer, but likely to be recalled by England fans mostly as a man who made Sven-Goran Eriksson look good.  Let's say "addio" rather than "arrivederci",  Fabio, because we really don't want to see you again, and I suspect the feeling's mutual.