The future: Danny Wellbeck (left), Phil Jones, and Ashley Young (right)

The fact is, delaying any decision on the next England manager until the summer means Capello would still be an option. No matter how much officials at the FA say otherwise and no matter how much Capello dismisses such talk between now and June 8.

The World Cup was deeply disappointing and even since then England have been alarmingly inconsistent under the Italian. But there is this sense that progress is being made, that a new England team is emerging with Capello keen to promote younger players not carrying the baggage of years of disappointment on the international stage.

Rio Ferdinand is the latest member of the so-called 'golden generation' to discover that a place in the England squad is no longer guaranteed.

Exciting players are emerging. Wilshere and Andy Carroll, Joe Hart and Phil Jones. Scott Parker is finally getting his chance in an England shirt and Ashley Young and Stewart Downing appear to have stepped up a level since making their respective moves to Manchester United and Liverpool.

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