England arrive in South Africa
England have arrived in South Africa safe in the knowledge that manager Fabio Capello remains fully committed to the cause after he pledged himself to the role until after Euro 2012.
The 23-man squad touched down in Johannesburg on Thursday morning ahead of the three-hour journey to their Rustenburg base.
Capello's future had been the subject of much debate this week after Inter Milan openly courted the 63-year-old to fill the void left by treble-winning coach Jose Mourinho's departure for Real Madrid. The Italian tactician repeatedly denied any interest in their advances and, just hours before England flew out for the World Cup finals, he ensured his future was with England.
Capello had previously reached a verbal agreement with former FA chairman Lord Triesman to stay until after Euro 2012 and he firmed up that commitment by removing a clause in his current four-year deal that would allow either the Italian or his employers to activate a break following this summer's World Cup.
Now with his future sorted, Capello can begin preparations for the Group C opener against the United States on June 12 and the campaign he hopes will end at the World Cup final at Soccer City on July 11.
"I am very happy about this and would like to thank Sir David Richards and the FA for their continued support and assurances about my future," he said.
"I always wanted to stay until the end of my contract.
"In South Africa, we are totally focused on the World Cup."
