Email
Print
Digg This
WATFORD, England, Aug 19 (Reuters) - John Terry of Chelsea was named as England's permanent captain by coach Fabio Capello on Tuesday.
Terry, 27, was given the job he held under former coach Steve McClaren and will lead the team out against Czech Republic in Wednesday's friendly at Wembley when he wins his 45th cap.
"It means the world to me to retain the armband," said Terry who was told by Italian Capello that he would be captain after England's training session on Tuesday morning.
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who was in the running to take over as skipper, has been appointed vice-captain.
"It was a little bit of a surprise because of the form Rio has shown for Manchester United and what they have achieved over the last couple of seasons," Terry told a news conference.
"I was standing next to Rio when the coach announced it and he turned to me and shook my hand. That shows the quality of the man.
"I think I showed to the manager what kind of captain I am at the end of last season. He gave me a boost by giving me the armband against the United States when I scored, and I am now delighted to have the chance of captaining a winning England team," added Terry.
The week before that match Chelsea had lost to Manchester United on penalties in the Champions League final in Moscow when Terry missed a penalty in the shootout that would have made the London club European champions if he had scored.
Capello, sitting next to his smiling captain, said: "John's big personality is why I chose him but Rio is also important for the team which is why I made him vice-captain.
"But the captain needs a big personality on and off the pitch and in the dressing room."
Terry made his England debut as a substitute in a friendly against Serbia & Montenegro in June 2003, establishing himself in the side the following season.
Terry has scored four goals for England, including the first at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium against Brazil in June last year.
Looking to Wednesday's match with the Czechs, Capello added:
"I want to see England playing with spirit and without fear tomorrow and with a big personality as a team. It is a very important match for us, the last before the qualifiers start and I want us to take another step forward."
England start their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with two away matches against Andorra and Croatia next month.
