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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Rio goes back to school

United defender Rio Ferdinand admits he is 'intrigued and excited' as he and his England colleagues begin life under new international manager Fabio Capello.

The Italian replaced Steve McClaren late last year and, ahead of his first game in charge against Switzerland, Rio concedes that a new experience beckons under Capello.

"I think it’s inevitable that’s it’s going to be different," he told a press conference. "They're different personalities, different people, different cultures.

"The new manager was very successful with his club teams, hopefully he can bring that success and experience to the England squad and we can become a successful team.

"The only way I can explain it is that it’s like going to a new school. Or going to a secondary school from a primary school. You’re intrigued and excited. We’re just like schoolkids waiting to suck up all the information he’s got, in the hope that it makes us a better team."

The appointment of a new manager has opened the door for a new captain to be named - and Ferdinand admits he would be honoured to take the armband.

“Obviously I’d be delighted, it’s a fantastic achievement for anybody," he said. "Right now John Terry’s the captain and he’s been a fantastic captain for club and country. But if you asked anyone sat here and they said they didn’t want to be England captain, I think they’d be lying.”

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