Former England manager Fabio Capello claims that the national team suffer from "fear" due to their 58-year trophy drought. He also confessed that his "dream" job of managing England was hindered by the fact that players were consistently fatigued prior to major tournaments.
Capello stressed both issues are still prevalent due to the taxing nature of the Premier League season.
During his management at the 2010 World Cup, Capello witnessed these issues firsthand, and he believes they contributed to England's loss in Euro 2020 final, which he attended at Wembley.
He noticed familiar signs of fear playing a decisive role. While appearing on UEFA's Legends Lounge show with Rio Ferdinand, the ex-Real Madrid manager explained: "It was my dream to manage England.
"I found a really good team but I said always that in spring you can play any team, September also. In March, too. But in June, we are tired. When you play the World Cup, the Euro, the team played without confidence, With fear."
Related articles
Reflecting on the Euros final, he added: "Then I remember the last game in the Euros, at Wembley, they were winning, then after 20 minutes they started playing the long ball from the keeper. Why? They have a fear. Why? It's such a long time with no trophy."
Capello admitted he faced challenges in encouraging players to trust his unique methods, which differed from previous coaches and included strict diet controls, prohibition of mobile phones and intensive training regimes during team hotel stays.
Capello explained: "As a manager, every day you are fighting against 45 people. They look at you every day and asking: 'What are you doing?' They are scared.
"Respect is very important. I learned from my old manager when I was player and he would say: 'You play like you train.'"
Capello expressed his belief that Kylian Mbappe will be the standout player of the Euros, suggesting that Jude Bellingham may be fatigued after the final weeks of the season.
Capello said: "I think Mbappe. I want to see Bellingham. In my mind, I saw Bellingham at Real Madrid and after six months he was fantastic, incredible player. Now I think he is a little bit tired. We will see."
Former England defender Ferdinand revealed that the players were so hungry they had to sneak out for fast food during one camp.
Ferdinand, who also mentioned that Capello tried to sign him as a youngster for Roma, said: "Me, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Stevie, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard. We were all there eating McDonalds like scavengers."
Capello also disclosed that he dismissed Brazil legend Ronaldo during his tenure at Real Madrid - due to his constant partying.
Capello revealed: "He was 94 kilos. When he won the World Cup in Japan, he was 82. He was a big leader - but I had to sack him. A negative leader."
"Every night he was taking five or six players to a nightclub and they would party, party, party! ".
