Football
ESPN staff 10y

Capello: I'll quit if Russia lose belief

MOSCOW -- Fabio Capello says he is staying in his post as Russia coach despite the team's World Cup failure, but says he will quit if he is not given the backing of the Russian Football Union (RFU).

Russia were eliminated after the group stage in Brazil without winning a game, prompting speculation the Italian would be fired.

"If I'm here, then it's clear that I'll continue to work with the Russian team. It's already confirmed," Capello said on Wednesday after a second meeting with Russian Football Union officials. "When we went to the World Cup, everyone was happy. Football hinges on moments. The ball -- is it in the net or not?

"I work with enthusiasm. If I see support from those around me ... If that belief stops, don't worry, I will quit.

"If I am here, then I will carry on working. This is confirmation of that. The RFU believe in me, as does the Ministry for Sport.

"Our holidays are over. I came to Russia to work and, in a month's time, we will start our qualification campaign for Euro 2016."

RFU president Nikolai Tolstykh said the organization's executive committee had not discussed the possibility of Capello leaving when the Italian met the members on Wednesday.

"The issue didn't come up," he told local media. "Capello has a valid contract with the RFU and will continue his work as the national team coach. Not a single executive committee member raised the issue."

Capello signed a contract extension in January taking him through to the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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