Fabio Capello admits his national status has slumped from a 'god' to a 'monster' since England's World Cup flop but he has promised to fight to save his job.

Capello turned on his critics ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley, defending his tactics, his players and his record as England boss.

'You create the god and you create the monster,' said the Italian with a laugh. 'I remember what was written about me before this period. I live the same when you write well of me as I do when you write badly of me. This is my job and I have to live with the pressure.

Defiant: England manager Fabio Capello says he can live with the pressure

'We lost only one game in the World Cup, against Germany, after one big mistake from the referee. You don't remember this? I think so. But, after this, your opinion about me changed completely. But I live with this situation. It's no problem for me. I live. Sorry. It is easy to be the best when you win but, when you lose, you lose everything. You have to fight and I am a fighter.'

In his hour of need, Capello will show faith in many of the same players who let him down in South Africa. The England manager confirmed that Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney, the strikeforce which started in the 4-1 defeat to Germany, will again spearhead the team.

Head boy: Capello has backed Wayne Rooney to shine again for England

Rooney has not scored in 10 internationals, stretching back almost a year, but Capello said: 'He is good, he is back. Rooney will play with Defoe. I changed some things but not a lot.'

But Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov believes the pressure could get to Rooney and urged Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai and his fellow officials to stamp out any aggression he might show towards his players.

Stoilov said: 'If Rooney is nervous because of his lack of goals he should be punished if he is too aggressive, but that is the referee's job. Rooney has great skills so I have to teach my players how to stop him on the pitch and not to provoke him. It is not the style of the Bulgaria national team to provoke. We came here to play fairly.'

But for injuries to Chelsea pair John Terry and Frank Lampard, the England team starting tonight would be close to the one thrashed by the Germans in Bloemfontein.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka trained yesterday and is expected to replace Terry in the back four.

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Scott Carson pulled out of the squad after a family bereavement and has been replaced by Watford's Scott Loach, recalled from Under 21 duty.

Capello hopes Carson will be able to rejoin his squad in time for Tuesday's game in Switzerland.

Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return to English football with Aston Villa.

The Frenchman, who has been out of work for three years, has held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner about succeeding Martin O’Neill.

Houllier has jumped to the top of Villa’s wish list after the club’s decision makers began their round of interviews this week.

Top of the pile: Gerard Houllier is set for a return to England

Alan Curbishley, Sven Goran Eriksson and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald have all been interviewed following the club’s 1-0 victory over Everton last Sunday.

However, the former Liverpool boss is now the hot favourite to take over at Villa Park as the club tries to move swiftly following an uncertain three weeks in the wake of O’Neill’s sudden exit.

It is as yet unknown in what capacity the Frenchman will return. 

 

 

Interview technique: Alan Curbishley (left) and Sven Goran Eriksson were approached by Villa

Lerner and his chief executive Paul Faulkner were mindful that several of O’Neill’s staff followed the Irishman out of the exit when he decided to call time on his four year stay at the Birmingham club.

O’Neill’s staff - including assistant John Robertson, coach Steve Walford and chief scout Ian Storey-Moore - all quit at the same time, leaving Villa with a huge gap to fill just five days before the start of a new campaign in the Barclays Premier League.

Houllier could be employed either as a manager in his own right or as a director of football with the brief to oversee a major overhaul of the club’s scouting and recruitment policy.

Out of the running: Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald (left) and Everton boss David Moyes were tipped for the post earlier this week

That area has been sadly lacking in the view of many connected with Villa and Houllier’s work with the acclaimed French academy at Clairefontaine would doubtless prove invaluable as the club seeks to move forward.

Finest hour: Houllier masteminded Liverpool's UEFA Cup win in 2001

Houllier, now 62, has struggled with his health in previous years, suffering a heart attack while in the dugout at Anfield during his six year stay at the club.

He left Liverpool in 2004 after first assuming control with Roy Evans as part of a dream team that was put together to thrust the Reds back towards the top of English football.

Houllier’s joint managership lasted just four months and he oversaw a complete overhaul of their squad after his first season at the club signing seven new players and letting 10 go.

Paul Ince and Jason McAteer were victims of the new regime and Steve McManaman left when his contract expired, so the Frenchman has no fear of radical change.

Houllier spent more than £100 million during his time on Merseyside but his finest moment came in 2001 when he landed a cup treble of the Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in the same season.

Although there are funds available to spend at Villa Park, the transfer window has now closed but at least the lure of a recognised top name will satisfy Villa’s supporters as the club’s shortlist was resoundingly shy of star quality following O’Neill’s walk out.

Looking ahead: Jamie Carragher (right)

Jamie Carragher can savour the prospect of at least another three seasons at Anfield after opening talks on a new Liverpool contract.

The former England defender, 32, had cause to fret over his Liverpool future towards the end of last season as he approached the final 12 months of his four-year Anfield deal without any hint of a new offer from manager Rafa Benitez.

But a change of manager this summer signalled a change of fortune for Carragher.

As he prepared for his testimonial against Everton on Saturday, Carragher said: 'We'll come up with something on the contract situation in the next week or two.'

Michael Kightly is wanted by Reading on loan after being left out of Wolves' 25-man Premier League squad.

Reading boss Brian McDermott sees Kightly as the ideal replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was sold to German club Hoffenheim for £6million on transfer deadline day.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is keen to send Kightly on loan after nine months out with a knee injury.

No place: Michael Kightly was left out of Wolves' 25-man squad on Wednesday