After three long weeks of canvassing opinion, dealing with rejection and reappraising their leading candidates, the Football Association finally got their man last night when Fabio Capello was appointed as the new England manager.
The remit for Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive and Sir Trevor Brooking, director of football development, had been to uncover a "world-class" successor to Steve McClaren following the country's failure to reach the Euro 2008 finals.
At one point it looked as though Jose Mourinho would be the man. But when the former Chelsea manager turned his back on the job, as many felt he always would, Barwick and Brooking made a beeline for Capello, the 61-year-old former Juventus, AC Milan and Real Madrid coach, who had made his desire to take on the challenge known within hours of McClaren's departure.
The final touches to a four-and-a-half year contract may have taken slightly longer than had been imagined and the official unveiling will now take place on Monday ahead of his first day in the office on January 7. But Barwick and Brooking have undoubtedly met their objective, albeit at an annual cost of £6.5m and with four extra Italian coaches in tow.
"When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello we have that man," said Barwick. "I am delighted Fabio has agreed to become England manager. He is a winner and his record over the last two decades speaks for itself.
"At every club that he has managed, Fabio has won the title and Trevor and I were left in no doubt of his passion and commitment to bring that success to the England team."
Capello's contract takes in not just the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but the campaign to reach Euro 2012 as well.
His first official game in charge will be against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6, when David Beckham is expected to win his 100th cap. Provided he is selected, Beckham will hold a unique place in Capello's squad as the only player ever to have worked under the new manager.
Having won nine league titles, culminating in Real Madrid's success last season, and having taken Milan to the the Champions League crown in 1994, Capello has achieved almost everything in club football and now has the chance to apply his talents to the international game.
The purported language barrier should also not be an issue either, with Sir Alex Ferguson revealing Capello can speak perfectly good English. The installation of a coaching team comprising assistants Franco Baldini and Italo Galbiati, goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi and fitness coach Massimo Neri, confirms Capello's intention to be his own man.
His choice of captain is, though, less certain, as is the English coach that will be appointed to his team in consultation with Brooking.
Alan Shearer, the former England captain and Stuart Pearce, the current under-21 manager, are among those being considered. It is also possible the name of Watford's highly-rated manager Aidy Boothroyd could crop up if they are thinking of someone already in a job who could expand his experience for potential future employment.
"Fabio Capello is widely recognised as one of the world's finest coaches," said Brooking of the appointment. "He has achieved huge success wherever he has worked and has the respect of everyone in football.
"Fabio will have the full support of the FA and its coaching setup. We are excited about working with him over the coming years as we focus on qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."
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