Semi-final target for Capello
06 May 2008 - 16:42:14
Fabio Capello must take England to at least the semi-finals at one of the next two major tournaments, according to ambitious new targets announced by the Football Association.
The Italian head 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 have 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.
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 an 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".
"This document sets out our goals for the next four years and how we intend to achieve them," said FA chairman Lord Triesman.
"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 added: "There are some significant challenges but we are confident of tackling them."