Fabio Capello was cheering on Italy while managing England at the 2010 World Cup, according to Wayne Rooney.

The Three Lions suffer a dire World Cup in South Africa but Rooney has given a potential reason why.

England limped out of the group stages having bored fans to draws against the United States and Algeria, before saving themselves by beating Slovenia.

But in the round of 16, Capello's men were embarrassed by Germany - as Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and a Thomas Muller double completed a 4-1 humiliation in Bloemfontien.

Fabio Capello and Wayne Rooney attend a team training session at Wembley Stadium in London September 2, 2010 (
Image:
Getty)
England had an awful World Cup in South Africa (
Image:
Getty)

Incredibly, holders Italy had an even worse tournament as the finished below New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay without winning a match.

Capello, who spoke little English and whose coaching team were also Italian, had his eye on his homeland rather than his employers.

"His English wasn't great and it didn't feel right.," Rooney revealed in his interview with TalkSport.

Capello spoke very little English (
Image:
Action Images)

"He brought in his Italian backroom staff. I remember out in the World Cup in South Africa, Fabio and his coaches were watching England play and were cheering when Italy scored.

"He was there as England manager. I don't think it was right."

Capello eventually departed as the Three Lions chief two years later, two months before Euro 2012, after John Terry had been stripped of the captaincy by the FA.

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