Seems to me that successful teams have players who:
1. have ability
2. who utilise that ability in the interests of the team
3. who have a burning desire for the success of the team
So far as the first is concerned there's not much Capello can do about that. I think the ability of too many of the players is over-rated by international comparison.
For the second, it is the manager's job to meld the disparate talents of individuals into a cohesive team unit. Selection (remember in 1966 Alf Ramsay left out Jimmy Greaves - probably the most talented striker around at the time, but one who did not fit in with Alf's version of team cohesion) and tactics. I think Capello has failed here.
Lastly, it's also the manger's job to instill pride in and commitment to the shirt. I think Capello has failed here, too.
Sounds like I blame Capello - well yes and no because he could only work with what he had. If he had asked "Would you die for England (in football terms, of course
" where an honest "yes" was pre-requisite of being selected for the squad then I doubt he would have been able to raise a team.
It's the players who failed - they played no better than a bottom half Championship side in relative terms and if they've got half the talent they are cracked up to have then they should have done much better whatever the manager's failings.
jon