Monday, February 23, 2009
By ROB HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LONDON (AP) -- Fabio Capello quit suddenly as England coach on Wednesday in a dispute over captain John Terry, throwing the national team's preparations for the European Championship into turmoil.
The Italian, whose contract was due to expire after Euro 2012, resigned during an hour-long meeting with Football Association executives at Wembley Stadium after four years in the job.
The drama unfolded hours after Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, who has long been considered Capello's likely successor, was cleared by a British jury of tax evasion.
The FA said nothing in its statement on Wednesday night about the process for replacing Capello.
"We have accepted Fabio's resignation, agreeing this is the right decision," FA Chairman David Bernstein said. "We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future."
England's next match is a friendly against the Netherlands on February 29. The team's Euro 2012 opener is against France on June 11 -- a month after the Premier League season ends.
Gareth Southgate, the former England captain who is now the FA's head of elite development, said an interim coach could take charge of the team against the Dutch while the search for a full-time successor continues.
Andrus and Rangers
finalize $14.4m,
three-year deal
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Shortstop Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers have finalized a $14.4 million, three-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.
He gets a $750,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2,375,000 this year, $4.8 million in 2013 and $6,475,000 in 2014. He then becomes eligible for free agency.
A hearing had been scheduled for Thursday. Andrus had asked for $3.6 million and had been offered $2.65 million. The 23-year-old hit a career-best .279 with 37 stolen bases last year when the Rangers won their second consecutive American League pennant. He made $452,180.
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