Michael Owen has hit out at Fabio Capello for ‘causing catastrophic damage to both my career and English football in general.’
Owen scored 222 goals for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, while netting 40 times in 89 games for England.
However, the one-time Ballon d’Or winner played just once for his country under Capello and retired aged just 33 after injuries plagued his final few seasons.
Michael Owen has hit out at Fabio Capello for ‘causing catastrophic damage to both my career and English football in general.’
Owen scored 222 goals for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, while netting 40 times in 89 games for England.
However, the one-time Ballon d’Or winner played just once for his country under Capello and retired aged just 33 after injuries plagued his final few seasons.
“It just felt like, having come in as a new manager, Fabio felt that he had to change something,” said the 39-year-old in an excerpt of his new autobiography.
“And that something turned out to be Michael Owen. To me it felt like a statement.
“It might not surprise you therefore if I told you that, when I now look back on his tenure, I do so with a lot of resentment.
“Not only did he cut short a hard-earned international career with absolutely no explanation whatsoever, but he also went on to be one of the least effective England managers ever.
“He was absolutely c***. In my opinion, Fabio Capello caused catastrophic damage to both my career and English football in general and got paid handsomely to do so.”
Despite his underwhelming reign with the Three Lions, the Italian is regarded as one of the greatest Coaches of all time, winning five Scudetto, two Spanish titles and a Champions League.