Vieira: Capello can be a success March 25 2008
France captain Patrick Vieira reckons Fabio Capello is the right man to bring the best out of England's under-performing national side.
Vieira, the former Arsenal skipper who now plays for Serie A champions Inter Milan, had Capello as a coach at both AC Milan and Juventus.
The 31-year-old midfielder is a big fan of the Italian, who succeeded Steve McClaren as England boss in December and whose task is to lead the country to their first piece of silverware since 1966.
"I liked him when I played under him," said Vieira. "At Juve, he always supported me as a player. There is always a gap between him and the players but he gives them his 100% confidence.
"He will get the best out of the (England) team. He knows what is needed to be a success.
"He respects everybody but he will not tolerate any players being individual - he wants them to play for the team.
"He is strict and will make sure you give 100% game after game. He will always be behind the players."
Vieira has ruled himself out of Les Bleus' friendly against England on Wednesday as a precaution after failing to recover from a thigh strain that kept him out of Saturday's Serie A match against the Bianconeri.
France coach Raymond Domenech is therefore likely to pair Chelsea anchorman Claude Makelele with Lyon's Jeremy Toulalan in the centre of midfield at the Stade de France.
Mathieu Flamini is enjoying a stunning season at the Emirates Stadium, however, and could push Toulalan for a starting spot.
Flamini, who has one cap to his name, said: "We have some very good players in midfield, and the coach has a choice to make.
"It is the same situation at Arsenal but I am playing as well as I can, and I will just continue to give my best."