Tue May 6 14:54:06 2008

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FA: Capello must lead England to semifinals

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London, England (Sports Network) - Fabio Capello must take England to at least the semifinals at one of the next two major tournaments, according to ambitious new targets announced by the Football Association.

The Italian coach has been set the goal of reaching the last four of either the 2010 World Cup or 2012 European Championship after the FA unveiled its strategic vision for the next four years.

England has not reached the last four of a major tournament since 1996, but the FA's 'Major Milestones' report has set lofty ambitions for the newly- installed coach.

"This document sets out our goals for the next four years and how we intend to achieve them," FA chairman Lord Triesman said.

The association also wants the National Football Centre at Burton to be fully operational by 2010 and for the rebuilt Wembley Stadium to make a profit by 2012.

They also intend to appoint a performance director to oversee all the national teams below the senior men's side.

It also claimed that England as a nation is producing "insufficient high- quality players to represent the national teams and insufficient quality coaches."

"The FA is prepared to speak and act for the greatest sport in the world. There is much to do, and we have the determination to do it." FA chief executive Brian Barwick said. "There are some significant challenges but we are confident of tackling them."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)