Bowing out? Fabio Capello may quit his role as England manager

Capello’s future has been called into question by England’s dismal showing in South Africa thus far, and while he retains the support of the FA board and senior executives there is a growing consensus that failure to secure qualification on Wednesday would render his position untenable.

The matter has not been formally discussed by the FA delegation in South Africa or the main board, but senior figures have begun considering how to deal with what would be a devastating failure.

There is an acceptance that Capello would have to go if they fail to secure qualification, and it is understood that the Italian’s camp share that view that his position would be hard to defend in the event of a first-round exit. There is even a possibility that he may walk after the World Cup even if England reach the knockout stages.

Should England crash out this week the FA is banking on Capello taking the honourable course and walking away however. The Italian has two years remaining on his £6m-a-year contract and were he to try and remain in post the FA would face bill of up to £12m to remove him from office.

Capello is completely focused on securing the win against Slovenia that would seal a second-round berth, and he will not take any decision on his future until after the team return from South Africa.

The situation has been complicated by a late amendment made to the Italian’s contract which removed a clause that allowed a two-week window following the World Cup during which either party could end the deal without penalty.

The clause was included in the original contract Capello signed in 2007, but earlier this year former FA chairman Lord Triesman agreed in principle with Capello to remove the get-out clause.

Triesman was forced to resign before the arrangement was signed, and it was only formally sealed on the day England departed from South Africa following a meeting between Capello and Sir Dave Richards, the chairman of the new Club England board responsible for all FA team issues.

Capello had expressed his disquiet over the issue in the days prior to England’s departure, and with Internazionale expressing interest the FA acted to close the window.

Removing the clause was intended as a show of faith in the coach but it could have expensive consequences for the FA were Capello to try and hold them to the letter of his contract.

The FA can ill-afford a £12m pay-off. Its finances remain under pressure following the collapse of Setanta, and they are yet to seal new sponsorship deals for the England team and the FA Cup.

Communications director Adrian Bevington, who will become managing director of Club England following the World Cup, told the BBC: “"Fabio was given a contract until 2012 and nothing has changed in that respect.”