Just reward: Capello is now giving Scott Parker the starts he deserves

English football history points to some value in having such experience. Bobby Robson reached the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup and then guided England to within a penalty shoot-out of the final in 1990. That after a European Championship in West Germany which ended with England failing to qualify from the group stage.

If England are as disappointing in Poland and Ukraine, there is no way anyone would entertain the idea of Capello continuing. If, however, England match what Terry Venables achieved at Euro 96 and progress to the last four, it will be interesting to see if there is a clamour for the Italian to stick around.

People may start to recognise the value of Capello's familiarity with the players and with the challenges the job presents. 'It would be daft to dismiss it as impossible,' said one well-placed observer.

Indeed it would. Particularly if the English alternatives are not quite as appealing as they might have been.

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