Capello: 'This is best for the whole team'

Fabio Capello lived up to his reputation as a ruthless manager yesterday by stripping John Terry of the England captaincy without even questioning the player over the scandal that has gripped English football or giving him the opportunity to plead his case.

Capello simply told Terry that the furore around him was in danger of damaging the England team's prospects at the World Cup finals this summer and that it was in the team's best interests that he step down. A source close to the England manager said: "It was not one specific problem, it was everything. The situation was becoming worse every day."

Rio Ferdinand was appointed Terry's successor on a day when Capello confirmed beyond doubt that he is a no-nonsense operator. Having been expected to allow Terry to put his side of the story, the England manager made it quite clear that he had made his decision before his meeting with the player shortly after 2pm yesterday.

There was no forensic cross-examination of the allegations that Terry had had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-fiancée of his England team-mate Wayne Bridge, and there was no discussion of how that might affect the compatibility of the pair as players. Instead Capello said that he believed the scandal was harmful to the team and that it would be best if Terry was moved aside.

According to sources, Terry was respectful and quiet in the meeting. He was said to be relieved that he would still be part of the England team and promised, according to sources, "to be focused on being the best player he could be for England and Chelsea".

There is no suggestion Capello asked Terry in any detail about the allegations that his private box at Wembley had been touted against the rules of the stadium, which is owned by the Football Association. Those allegations emerged yesterday morning but it would appear Capello had made up his mind on Terry's future long before then.

There was no offer from Capello for Terry to tender his resignation. Rather, the England manager said it was "his decision" that the player step down. Capello thanked him for his contribution as captain and the meeting was civil and calm, according to sources.

At no point did Terry make any apology and there was nothing in his statement after the meeting that expressed remorse or took responsibility for his actions. His replacement with Ferdinand as England captain means that he will not be under any obligation to speak before or after the friendly against Egypt on 3 March.

To add to the drama, while the meeting was taking place in Capello's office at Wembley Stadium, an announcement was made by the publicist Max Clifford on behalf of his client Perroncel to say she would not be speaking about the episode. There is speculation regarding whether she may have come to a financial agreement with Terry.

It has been concerns such as those that more details are likely to emerge that has been the driving force in Capello making his decision to sack Terry now. Those close to the England manager said that he could not risk further disclosures contributing to the sense of chaos around Terry.

Those close to Capello said he had taken a great deal of thought over the wording of the statement which was subsequently released to explain the decision. "Every word has been chosen for a reason," said one source. The key line is said to be Capello's assertion that the decision was in the interests of what was "best for all of the England team".

The vocabulary and grammar of the statement is imperfect and suggests Capello and advisers such as Franco Baldini permitted only minimal input from the FA. Capello said: "After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first. When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice. There is no reason to change this decision.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FA, particularly [chairman] Lord David [sic] Triesman and [chief executive] Ian Watmore for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team."

It is understood Watmore joined the meeting after Capello had talked Terry through his decision. The attitude among Capello and his advisers is that there is no issue with Bridge being picked for future England squads. Bridge was part of the Manchester City squad who watched the news break live on TV as they travelled to Hull ahead of their game today.

Terry was driven to the meeting direct from Chelsea's Cobham training ground but not before a decoy car had been used in an attempt to give reporters and photographers the slip. In a statement yesterday, Terry did not make any apology. "I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision," he said. "I will continue to give everything for England."

Ferdinand was not informed that he had got the captaincy until after the meeting. Steven Gerrard, who originally lost out to Terry when Steve McClaren named the latter captain for the first time in August 2006, will be the vice-captain of the team.

End of the affair Terry's reported misdemeanors

*August 2009

Reappointed England captain after Fabio Capello trialled others. Was first appointed by Steve McClaren in 2006.

*November 2009

PR company Riviera Entertainment circulate a release touting for corporate endorsements for the "captain of England and Chelsea" .

*December 2009

Accused of charging £10,000 for secret tours of Chelsea's training ground. Terry claims the money was for charity.

*January 2010

Named as the sportsman behind a super-injunction. After this is lifted it is claimed he had an affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-fiancée of former team-mate Wayne Bridge and mother of Bridge's child.

*February 2010

It is claimed Terry's executive box at Wembley – which he is able to rent at a discount because of his status as England captain – is being offered for use at £4,000 a match, cash. This is contrary to his contract with the stadium.

JT's PR crisis: Could his people have done better?

*David Beckham is advised by Simon Fuller, of 19 Entertainment, a global talent management company.

*The publicity and endorsements of Michael Owen and Alan Shearer are handled by the established Wasserman Media Group.

*Since August John Terry has been advised by Elite Management, a smaller agency which has seemed out of its depth. However, Tiger Woods is managed by IMG, the world's biggest management company, so size is not everything.

Terry's key advisers are:

*Keith Cousins (Elite Management), chairman of Rushden & Diamonds, background in film and clothing.

*Paul Nicholls (Elite Management), non-League goalkeeper, old friend and former youth team-mate of Terry's at Chelsea.

*Phil Hall, former editor of the News of the World, belatedly taken on to manage Terry's PR.