Words Dept.: entry

The outcome at 18.33 today – whereby the appointment of Fabio Capello as the new England manager was finally “approved” – was reached unpredictably speedily during the course of this week. And, rather as it does with Wimbledon and the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has taken ownership of the event.

It’s been impossible to switch on Five Live or News 24 since Monday without stumbling over someone telling you what “the BBC understands” in relation to Capello’s appointment. The corporation even spent a few dozen licence fees on posting a cameraman outside the Italian’s house today… while he waited for a furniture delivery.

Since this morning, the BBC has been telling us that an announcement could be expected today. But the Beeb’s best laid plans (to make the announcement on the Six O’ Clock News) went a touch awry when it got to quarter to six and the poor reporter (in a scarf) they had stuck outside FA headquarters all day had absolutely nothing to say. He was asked by Emily Maitlis on News 24 whether there were any new developments and without saying “no”, which was, of course, the honest answer, he repeated what we already knew – that the appointment was “expected” – and pleaded for something to happen within the next hour.

Sure enough at 18.33, the God-like Mihir Bose appeared on the screen to tell us that the appointment was confirmed in principle, save for a few minor contractual issues. Within five minutes Sky was saying the same thing.

During the course of the next few minutes, the BBC anchor returned to the reporter at FA HQ, who looked a little surprised. The procession of bored, cold photographers and reporters walking away from the scene behind him – presumably in the direction of the pub – didn’t convey the kind of excitement one might expect just seconds after a major piece of news breaks.

Bearing that in mind, I’m a touch unclear on what happened between six and six-thirty. Perhaps Brian Barwick called Mihir on his mobile, while the poor saps in the cold of Soho Square were left clueless.

However – and I admit this claim is entirely without foundation – I like to imagine that the Beeb simply decided to stop the pointless dicking around and instead opted to “call it”, in the manor of a General Election. Everyone knew it was going to happen but, in the age of rolling news and accursed, continuous speculation, there was a need to create a single definable moment in which, for the sake of the “Breaking News” banner, something actually did. Hence Mihir’s annoucement.

In fairness, the FA website has a statement dated today (but without a time stamp):

Discussions have continued throughout the day between The FA and Fabio Capello’s advisors.

The FA Board has also today approved Capello’s appointment as England Manager subject to the successful conclusion of these contract negotiations.

But sod the FA and its dully-worded press release. I want the BBC to appoint the next England manager. It’s only right. It’s their shebang after all – as they’ve been telling us all frigging week.

-