English head coach Roy Hodgson takes part in a training session, on June 22, 2012 at the Suche Stawy municipal stadium in Krakow, two days ahead of the team's Euro 2012 football championships quarter final match. (AFP/CARL DE SOUZA)
That's the polite message England manager Roy Hodgson sent when it was suggested he might need advice from Italian Fabio Capello -- whom he replaced at the helm of Three Lions -- on how to beat Italy.
Hodgson seems to be doing quite well on his own, thank you very much. He is unbeaten in five matches since taking over in April as England manager, including two wins and a draw in the group stage of Euro 2012.
The next task becomes a meeting Sunday with the Italians at Kiev's Olympic Stadium in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup that has both teams pumped.
Hodgson feels no need to pick Capello's brain. The latter quit as England manager in February because he didn't like the fact the English F.A. went over his head to strip John Terry of the team captaincy.
"We have more than enough information on teams and more than enough research," Hodgson told reporters. "I don't think I will be turning in particular to anybody for advice. We will be making certain we use all the evidence we have.
"We will study the video and make our own minds up as to how we go about the job."
Hodgson isn't surprised Capello's name is still mentioned in questions from the media.
"I am sure people will compare me with Capello anyway because this is the team that Capello qualified for this tournament," he said. "I am also sure he must still be disappointed not to be here coaching this team."
In the end, it was Capello's decision to walk away. This is Hodgson's team now. Capello will have to live with that.
