ROME - Anytime over the next day or two, one of the worst-kept secrets in football should be revealed as Fabio Capello is named the new manager of England.
Fabio Capello, seen here in 2006, began plotting England's renaissance on the international football stage as his future employers at the Football Association (FA) put the finishing touches to the terms of his appointment. [Agencies] Following the serious under-achievement of the national team under Steve McClaren, who failed to take England to the Euro 2008 finals, Football Association
powerbrokers are thought to have decided to plump for someone with a considerably stronger CV than the former Middlesbrough manager.
And when former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho ruled himself out of the running, Capello became the favorite for the post.
The FA issued a statement saying the talks were "extremely positive and without any problems".
Capello reportedly met FA chief executive Brian Barwick at Wembley stadium. Accompanied by an FA security official, he then headed for Heathrow airport where he flew out of the country.
"I can confirm that Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking have today held talks with Fabio Capello in London," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said.
"I'm pleased to say that these discussions were extremely positive and without any problems.
"Fabio has tonight returned to Italy to honor a prior commitment. Understandably, further talks are now taking place between Fabio's advisers and ourselves."
Solid track record
Capello's track record is without question having won the Italian Serie A title with three different clubs - although his two titles with Juventus were later rescinded when the club was found guilty of match-fixing - and also the Spanish La Liga crown in his only two seasons working in Spain.
What was even more remarkable about those successes, firstly in 1997 and then a decade later, is that after each title he was sacked.
The reason for that is because Capello is a master tactician and exponent of "catenaccio", a defensive style of play where a team literally plays for a 1-0 victory.
He has enjoyed immeasurable success with that style and has been adored by his clubs' owners and management - but less so by the fans, notably those in Madrid.
Even so, his greatest-ever moment came in the 1994 Champions League final when his Dejan Savicevic-inspired AC Milan trounced Barcelona 4-0, thought to be one of the best performances in the history of club football.
Such has been his managerial success that many people forget that the 61-year-old was a fine midfielder in his day, playing for Roma and Juventus as well as the Italian national team.
In fact, those with long enough memories might recall Capello scoring the winner for Italy at Wembley against England.
But it is his managerial career that is most impressive. He made his name in the early 1990s when leading Milan to four Serie A titles in five seasons as well as the European Cup in 1994.
He then moved on to Real where another title followed in his only season there and a year after leaving he took charge of Roma. He won the title there in 2001 and then left for Juventus.
Having claimed back-to-back titles for the Old Lady of Turin, Capello quit once it became clear Juve would be demoted and although the club was stripped of those two titles, Capello had still guided a third team to championship glory on the field.
Last season he again won the Spanish crown with Madrid but his sometimes controversial team selections - he often left David Beckham and Ronaldo on the sidelines - made him unpopular with fans.
His defensive style may not be to England fans' liking either, but in a country starved for success on the field since 1966, they will quickly forgive Capello if he guides England to World Cup glory in South Africa in three years' time.
Bust a gut 拼了命地工作
There's method to my madness 我有一个不合常理的办法
Bye bye Big Ben's bongs 与大本钟的钟声暂时告别
A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药
To make a mountain out of a molehill 小题大做
To lie through your teeth 睁眼说瞎话
Too much stuff 物质主义和简约主义
Barefaced 厚颜无耻的
Test the water 试探,摸底
To turn something upside down 把……翻个底朝天
In defence of shyness 为害羞的人辩护
Would you let your baby sleep in a box? 你愿意让自己的宝宝在盒子里睡觉吗?
Hangry 饥饿成怒
Reunion? Count me out! 重聚? 别算上我!
White / blue-collar worker 白领,蓝领
Pain in the neck 令人讨厌的事情或人
Old-school 老一套,老派
Clean up your act 改邪归正
Bored at work? Sue the boss! 工作无聊怪老板?
One good turn deserves another 以德报德,礼尚往来
Until I'm blue in the face 任凭你磨破嘴皮
Off the hook 脱身
Cheap and cheerful 物美价廉
The problem with big brains 聪明大脑所带来的问题
It takes two to tango 一个巴掌拍不响
Why do we laugh? 为什么我们会笑?
Are you addicted to your phone? 你是不是玩手机上瘾了?
You're pulling my leg! 你在愚弄我!
Lights! Camera! English! 灯光,摄像机,英语!
To fall at the first hurdle 跌倒在第一关