With experience at Juventus, AC Milan and Roma behind him, the 61-year-old had an idea what he was letting himself in for, although even he agrees coaching a national team with so much expectation, very little of which is justified, is different to anything he has gone through before.

But, rather than allowing himself to become crushed by his task with the Three Lions, as he approaches today's World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan, Capello sees the demand for success as a passion to be embraced.

"It is not an impossible job," he said. "Being England manager is a fantastic experience.

"I agree, it is not easy. For me, it is different to being in charge of a club, when you work and train every day. Then you can change errors and rectify mistakes. For this reason alone you need a different mentality.

"But the pressure is the same in all countries. The only difference is somewhere like Milan where you are talking about one city and one set of supporters.

"Here, the focus is different. It's one nation. It is the England team."

Capello is talking from strength, having seen his own stock rise markedly on the back of that amazing win over Croatia in Zagreb, when Theo Walcott bagged a stunning hat-trick.

It is a double-edged sword for England's new man in charge.

With improvement comes the release of rampant expectation, often misguided and even more frequently completely unfulfilled.

Not that Capello is bothered. In fact, while he calls for patience, particularly in relation to Walcott, he is also willing to usher in a bright new dawn for England at Wembley.

"I hope that is what it is," he said. "We have changed a lot of things in the minds of the fans and (today) we will find out what. This is a very important game and if we don't score in the first 20 minutes, I hope the fans don't boo. They have to help us because we need the players to be able to play."

Capello is pinning his faith in captain John Terry being fit for Wednesday's trip to Belarus.

As the Chelsea captain had not trained all week – and missed out again yesterday – it was merely confirming the inevitable when Capello officially ruled him out.

Rio Ferdinand will lead England in a competitive international for the first time, with Matthew Upson, Wes Brown and Joleon Lescott vying for the chance to replace Terry.

All three have plausible claims. Not that Capello was shedding any light on the matter.

"I know exactly who will play," he teased. "When I first decided the squad I had to think it was possible someone like John Terry or Rio Ferdinand might get injured, which, as always, is why we ended up with four centre-backs."

Capello claims to have seen his squad visibly grow since the Croatia victory.

Walcott in particular is no longer a boy among men and there is no doubt the 19-year-old will retain his place despite the claims of David Beckham and in-form Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, Capello will speak to the Arsenal youngster beforehand, just to ensure he does not waste his time trying to repeat the night of his life.

"You have to try and play normally and not try to do too much," he said. "I am sure he will take that on board. He's a very good boy. He is young but he is still the same – nothing has changed since Croatia. That hasn't surprised me. Why would it?"

Capello has vowed to play Steven Gerrard in the position in which he is most effective when England look to maintain today.

Gerrard will win his 69th cap, but estimates that he has only been used in his favourite role on five occasions.

Capello is not too concerned about Gerrard's disquiet. In fact, as the Liverpool captain has made only three appearances under England's new coach, the Italian jokingly wondered if he was responsible for three of the five.

But, having come up with a slightly new formation, which will see Gerrard working in tandem with Frank Lampard – leaving Gareth Barry taking responsibility for defensive duties in midfield – Capello thinks he has found a way to solve the puzzle of why two world-class talents have seemed so ill-at-ease together.

"(Today), I think you will see Steven in his long-term position," said Capello. "He can play in two or three positions depending on the game, but I think I know where he is best."

At various stages under Capello's predecessors Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren, either Lampard or Gerrard has shone. But never both.