ROBERTO MANCINI believes the FA have lost a man who could have won them Euro 2012 in Fabio Capello.

The Manchester City boss has jumped to the defence of his fellow Italian after he quit the England post this week.

Few have lamented Capello's departure but Mancini believes England could rue the day they let him go.

He said: "I don't know the reason for it but I can say that the national team has lost a top manager.

"And I think that with Fabio they had a big chance to win the European Championships."

But City's table-topping boss believes he could provide the new manager with an answer as to who his new captain should be.

John Terry has had the armband taken off him and Steven Gerrard is among the favourites to be given it.

But Mancini believes City star Gareth Barry would be an able skipper. His defensive midfielder has captained his country from the start once in a friendly against Ghana almost a year ago.

And after 51 caps, he certainly has the experience. Mancini insists he also has the ability as he acclaimed the player, who turns 31 this month, as one of his unsung heroes.

The former Inter Milan chief said: "Some players maybe don't seem as important as others but in the end they are the most important players.

"These players can play in every position on the pitch, fight for every ball, help their manager and team-mates and are always available.

"I think he could be an England captain because he is a clever man on the pitch, a really good player.

"Capello thought that, too, because he always played him."

A new man at the England helm could also open the door again for City defender Micah Richards.

And Mancini has called on the 23-year-old to to prove he is the best right-back in England.

Richards is behind Liverpool's Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker of Spurs in the England pecking order — despite his fine form for the league leaders.

Mancini has long trumpeted Richards' potential. But he warned him not to expect an immediate recall — his last cap was in November 2010 — as he still has much to prove.

Mancini said: "Micah has everything to become a top full-back.

"He has improved a lot in the last year but he can still improve, he can do better. At this moment for the national team, probably Johnson or Walker are better.

"But I don't want to say Micah can't play for the national team — if he wants, Micah can.

"If one England manager has a choice of three — Johnson, Walker, Micah — one players stays out.

"Micah played with Capello but there are a lot of players and a manager can call only 20-22 for a European Championship."

City travel to Aston Villa tomorrow and could have been knocked off the top by then, with second-placed Manchester United taking on Liverpool this lunchtime.

But Mancini said: "We can't think about the other teams. We have another 14 games and every one is going to be difficult. We know we are going to have to win a lot of them."