Former England coach Fabio Capello’s new boss at the Russian FA pledged Thursday to allow him free rein with his choice of captain after interference led Capello to leave England earlier this year.
He quit in Febuary after English football bosses took the armband from John Terry, who was then facing racism charges of which he was subsequently cleared.
Capello was unveiled as Russia coach at RIA Novosti on Thursday after signing a two-year contract.
“The RFU will not involve itself in his work,” acting Russian Football Union president Nikita Simonyan said.
Capello suggested at his unveiling that Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin could lose the captain’s armband, and expressed concern about the player’s deteriorating relationship with Russian fans.
“I should get to know Arshavin, to understand how this situation arose between him and the fans and then talk about the captain’s armband,” Capello said.
Whether or not Arshavin retains the captaincy, the Russian FA will not interfere, Simonyan said.
“If he thinks that Arshavin will be the captain, then he will be. Capello picks the players, who plays in what position, selects who’s the leader, who’s the captain.”
Capello’s reign kicks off with a friendly against the Ivory Coast on August 15.
After the Ivory Coast game, Russia will then have two World Cup qualifying games, one at home to Northern Ireland on September 7 and one away to Israel on September 11.
