Ipswich manager Roy Keane defends Fabio Capello

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has leapt to the defence of Fabio Capello in the wake of England’s 4-1 defeat to Germany on Sunday.

Keane, 38, described the Italian manager as “absolutely brilliant.”

“To keep criticising and questioning the manager is crazy,” said the former Manchester United captain.

“He didn’t do anything wrong in the qualifying campaign and now, all of a sudden, he’s not the top man any more.”

The Ipswich boss instead laid the blame for England’s miserable tournament squarely on the players, stating his belief that a squad of ‘good players’ does not necessarily make a ‘good team’.

“People keep talking about world class players but who are they?”

“There’s probably only Wayne Rooney, who had a brilliant season.”

Keane suggested the defensive frailties of the England team were not a consequence of Capello’s inept tactics. Instead the former Republic of Ireland international ridiculed the amateur nature of England’s defending.

Keane said: “The goals they conceded against Germany, particularly the first couple, had nothing to do with Capello’s choice of system or tactics. It wasn’t a case of getting overrun in midfield. It was just very bad defending.”