Capello starts as England manager
Italian Fabio Capello has officially begun his tenure as England manager.
After watching FA Cup games over the weekend, he spent day one at English football headquarters in Soho Square.
Capello spent much of his first day discussing arrangements for February's friendly against Switzerland and also met with Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce.
"It is a huge honour for me today to begin my work as England manager," said the 61-year-old Capello. "I have wanted this job for a long time."
He added: "I had a very good meeting with Stuart Pearce. I want to have a close working relationship with him. The Under-21's play an important part in the England team's development.
"I am also pleased that my assistant Franco Baldini was able to start with me - it's important that we get on with the job as quickly as possible."
Capello also spent much of the day discussing the forthcoming World Cup fixtures meeting in Zagreb, which takes place on Monday 14 January.
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach watched Manchester United's victory at Aston Villa on Saturday as well as the 1-1 draw between Luton and Liverpool on Sunday.
He is expected to attend the Carling Cup semi-finals this week and he also plans to visit Wembley and the hotel that England use with his staff.
Capello could also pay a visit to Arsenal's London Colney training ground, which England use as their base, and he could meet up again with David Beckham, who is training with the Gunners.
The LA Galaxy midfielder is one cap short of 100, but his selection for the 6 February friendly at Wembley is by no means guaranteed.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged Capello to pick Beckham for the Switzerland contest.
"I have a message to Capello - he has to pick David at least once," said Eriksson as Capello took up the reins.
Beckham's club side are currently in their close season, prompting the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to train with Arsene Wenger's side.
Ticket sales for the Switzerland game have now passed beyond the 60,000 mark, and he is desperate to be part of it.
"I'm there to get my fitness for the MLS season and also to try to get fit for the England game," said Beckham.
"Even if it wasn't just for the 100th cap, for an England game I'd do the same.
"I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello's first team and first game."
Beckham was speaking at a gala dinner where he was honoured by the Football Writers' Association.
And the 32-year-old revealed his fitness after a five-week break from football had surprised him.
"It's a lot better than I thought it was," he said.
"I feel great. I've had one day of training with the Arsenal team and three days of training with the fitness trainer."
