John Terry's attempt to orchestrate a player revolt against England manager Fabio Capello has backfired spectacularly, with teammates distancing themselves from the former captain's comments. The Chelsea defender claimed he and other senior players were ready to challenge Capello's regime, but his outburst has been met with fury from colleagues who accuse him of 'talking out of school'.
The Sun reports that 'many players are furious' after Terry alleged they were prepared to confront the Italian coach over aspects of his management. Terry named individuals including Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard in a Friday meeting, prompting agents and players to rush to deny any involvement in a mutiny.
Despite the turmoil, last night's scheduled meeting with Capello saw the squad display 'meek compliance', according to observers. The supposed uprising fizzled out, mirroring England's on-field performances against serious opponents in recent tournaments.
Criticism of Capello's regime has focused on strict routines, including bland food and limited free time. The Daily Mirror detailed a typical day: breakfast at 0830, training at 1030 with monitoring equipment, free time from 1400 to 1930, and team meetings at 2030. Players are expected in bed before midnight but not obliged.
Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph described the day as 'one of the most dramatic in England's history', calling Terry 'a rebel with a cause'. He argued that home truths needed airing ahead of Wednesday's crucial match against Slovenia. Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail highlighted Terry's attempt to overpower Capello, four months after being stripped of the captaincy.
