Fabio Capello resigned as England manager after an explosive meeting in the FA chairman’s office, leaving the way clear for Harry Redknapp to succeed him.

On one of the most extraordinary days in the history of English football, Redknapp was cleared of all tax evasion charges at Southwark Crown Court just hours before the Italian walked into showdown talks with David Bernstein at Wembley.

Bernstein was furious with Capello for an outburst on Italian television in which he criticised the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

Leaving the building: Fabio Capello departs Wembley Stadium following his dramatic meeting with the FA

Capello was stunned by accusations of a gross breach of protocol when he met Bernstein and FA general secretary Alex Horne and he was in no mood to back down. Instead the manager, angered that he was not consulted over last week’s decision to take the armband off Terry, has walked out with immediate effect, along with his coaching staff.

Wayne Rooney took to Twitter to lead the call for Redknapp. ‘Gutted Capello has quit,’ he posted. ‘Good guy and top coach. Got to be english to replace him. Harry Redknapp for me.’

Tottenham are planning to fight an approach for their manager. His contract at White Hart Lane
has 15 months to run but chairman Daniel Levy is already considering a new offer which he hopes will persuade the 64-year-old to stay with a side pushing for the Barclays Premier League title and close to Champions League qualification.

The fact Capello has quit means any compensation, something the FA would not discuss on Wednesday, would be minimal.

The FA will announce their plans at a noon press conference at Wembley on Wednesday. They will reveal who will take charge of the national team for the friendly against Holland later this month, with the expectation being that they will turn to Under 21 manager Stuart Pearce and director of football development and Club England board member Sir Trevor Brooking.

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