Indeed, when Capello watched England become the penultimate country to be picked out of the perspex sphere by World Cup legend Ronaldo and placed in Group H instead of France's Group I, did he not feel a twinge of regret that he will not be around to tackle the challenge?

Apparently not. 'England need to be careful,' said Capello. 'This will not be easy. We already know about Montenegro, while Poland are always improving.

'It was strange to watch the draw and to talk about it knowing I will not be manager - I felt like a journalist. What I can say is that I am focused on my job now and that is to qualify for the Euros (2012 finals) and then it will be over to another person.

'I am confident about the future of English football and that they can win the World Cup again because I have watched the Under 21s a lot and there are players that will be playing for teams like Manchester United now. And also, of course, you have players like [Jack] Wilshere at Arsenal.'

The 19-year-old Wilshere is too young to remember some of the bad times, but England fans of all ages will feel a hint of foreboding, even if it could all have been much worse.

All smiles: Fabio Capello at the World Cup draw in Brazil

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