Chelsea Bad Blood Over Fa Sackings

[oxfordblues 299]

The FA have upset a number of high profile England players by sacking two popular members of the backroom staff just over a week before the squad gather for new manager Fabio Capello's first game against Switzerland in 12 days.

Chelsea's Billy McCulloch is one of two masseurs shown the door as part of the planned root and branch investigation into national team operations following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Out of favour: Chelsea masseur Billy McCulloch

McCulloch, known as Bill Blood by the players, is so well liked by England's Chelsea contingent that they persuaded former coach Steve McClaren to make him part of his back-up team following the appointment of John Terry as captain.

Frank Lampard credits McCulloch with keeping him fit during his record breaking run of 119 consecutive Premier League appearances.

McCulloch, as well as being an expert masseur, is also the comedian who keeps the players amused with his madcap antics.

The other masseur who has lost his job has been a member of the England camp since before the World Cup in 2002.

Other changes in England personnel are expected soon.

McCulloch's popularity with the Chelsea England set of Terry, Lampard, Joe Cole, Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips is unlikely to bother the hardline Capello, who intends to keep his distance from the players.

Indeed, Capello gave England skipper Terry no indication over whether he would keep the armband when they had a brief chat about the central defender's foot injury after Chelsea's Carling Cup semifinal win at Everton on Wednesday.

Nor would Capello even think about consulting Terry or anyone else over the removal of McCulloch, which was more the work of FA staff than the England manager.

source here

[True_Blue 469]

Capello is a fuckin clown he makes me sick.I hope England fails miserably under his leadership (just to see him get sacked), he is a fuckin arrogant Italian prick.Big loss to England this is.....

[Elliott 7]

So, what, he's a clown because he's decided to shake up the UNSUCCESSFUL squad and its back room staff? Give me a break.

Bad luck for McCulloch, but, things change and if players can get used to that for £100,000 a week.

[captainmarvel 1]

hopefully now he can concentrate 100% on our players and keep them fitter

[PaulH 2]

That's ridiculous The FA really are muppets.

[Layla 0]

Stupid FA.You can tell by the way the Chelsea players are with him in the vids you see,prob helps them relax etc.

This is one bad news...if he uncaptains JT arg!!!

[Bandicoot 3]

I'm not a great lover of international football, and as far as I'm concerned the less any one from the Chelsea squad has to do with their nations team, the better.

[misschief 24]

Probably not the best decision morale-wise but Capello strikes me as a very clinical decision maker. He doesnt have an emotional connection so his decisions will be ruled by his head rather than his heart.

[Elliott 7]

At this point morale really is not an issue, getting the right set up is. Morale will come into it when it comes round to the World Cup Qualifiers, and that's irrelevant until next season.

[bombayblue™ 55]

Sorry for Mculloch, but also happy for Chelsea..

[terry26 6]

what could possibly make anyone wanna get rid of bill blood ??????

bad luck billy

stupid FA really