John Terry returns as permanent captain of England

[Rappy Veteran]

John Terry has been reinstated as the permanent captain of England.

The move by boss Fabio Capello had been widely expected, and comes ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.

Terry was stripped of the armband last year after reports that he had an affair with the former partner of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But Capello said on Saturday: "After one year of punishment, Terry will again be the permanent captain. I think one year's punishment is enough."

Terry replaces Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who was reported to be upset at the prospect of losing the captaincy earlier this week.

Ferdinand is currently injured, and Capello had planned to meet him to explain his thinking at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

But the Italian told a media briefing at the Football Association's HQ at Wembley Stadium that Ferdinand "preferred not to meet me".

Chelsea's Terry was initially appointed England skipper by Steve McClaren in August 2006, and Capello reinstated him in August 2008 after initially experimenting with different players in the role.

Capello said he had been impressed by Terry's continuing leadership on and off the pitch in the past 12 months.

"John, when he played without the armband, was everytime a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room. He was really good every time.

"Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader. This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room."

Capello believes Terry will have learnt from his alleged off-the-field indiscretions and is confident he will have the support of the dressing room.

He said: "Sometimes the leader can make mistakes - not only him but I, you, all the people.

"It is not a risk making Terry captain again. He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes.

"He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.

"I also think the players will be happy. I think so. They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely."

Ferdinand will revert to his previous role as vice-captain when he recovers from injury with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, also ruled out of the Wales clash through injury, next in line to wear the armband.

Capello continued: "I tried to meet Rio at the Manchester United game [against Marseille in the Champions League] on Wednesday.

"He was ready to meet me but he preferred not to meet us. I don't know why. It is a question for him, not me.

"I was ready, I wanted to speak with him and explain my decision.

"I hope I will meet him in the future to speak with him personally and privately, not by phone because I think by phone is not so good.

"I hope he will be fit to play for the national team because he is one of the most important people with his experience and value as a player.

"I spoke with Steven and it is no problem for him."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9430471.stm

[Kostaz]

I take it Capello isn't participating in a popularity contest anytime soon :whistle:

[Wakers]

Shocking decision. From all that we see of John Terry, the guy is an absolute swine with very low morals. He clearly doesn't have the trust of his fellow players, as was demonstrated in the world cup debacle.

I would just like an England captain that does not treat women like garbage, start fights or anything else. Scott Parker should be in the team and be the captain. Failing that, it should be Lampard. Not Gerrard (how is he not in jail?), not Terry, not Ferdinand or anyone else who has a dubious past.

The other thing that this decision does is show just how much Capello is second guessing himself, which does not inspire confidence in his abilities at all.

[SoyoS]

Shocking decision. From all that we see of John Terry, the guy is an absolute swine with very low morals. He clearly doesn't have the trust of his fellow players, as was demonstrated in the world cup debacle.

I would just like an England captain that does not treat women like garbage, start fights or anything else. Scott Parker should be in the team and be the captain. Failing that, it should be Lampard. Not Gerrard (how is he not in jail?), not Terry, not Ferdinand or anyone else who has a dubious past.

The other thing that this decision does is show just how much Capello is second guessing himself, which does not inspire confidence in his abilities at all.

But he's good at what he does and that's all that matters. His private life shouldn't have ever had an affect on whether he captains the team or not.

[mikebiacsi]

I think it does have an effect on whether he is a captain or not. Whether he likes it or not he is a role model to thousands of kids all and as such should act like one. A captain should lead by example both on and off the pitch and if they are unable to do that then they don't deserve to be the captain of their club let alone country.

[Wakers]

But he's good at what he does and that's all that matters. His private life shouldn't have ever had an affect on whether he captains the team or not.

Of course it matters. The England captain is supposed to be a role model for starts. Furthermore, if he can't inspire his team mates because half of them can't stand him, then Terry being captain is only going to make matters worse, not better.

[Subject Delta]

Shocking decision. From all that we see of John Terry, the guy is an absolute swine with very low morals. He clearly doesn't have the trust of his fellow players, as was demonstrated in the world cup debacle.

I would just like an England captain that does not treat women like garbage, start fights or anything else. Scott Parker should be in the team and be the captain. Failing that, it should be Lampard. Not Gerrard (how is he not in jail?), not Terry, not Ferdinand or anyone else who has a dubious past.

The other thing that this decision does is show just how much Capello is second guessing himself, which does not inspire confidence in his abilities at all.

But Rio Ferdinand was a coke head. What message do we want do give kids, it's OK to take drugs as long as you don't screw someone else's wife?. As far as I am concerned, the person picked should be the best for the job, their private lives are not relevant. Personally however I have questions about John Terry, his form has dipped in the last season and a half.

[Wakers]

I couldn't agree more - I wouldn't let Ferdinand be captain either. The sad thing is, we don't seem to have any footballers at that level who aren't absolute prats.

[Shibby]

Whoever is goalkeeper on the day should be captain. You can't trust half of them, they bring the game and national team in to disrepute. In some professions they sack you for that!