Premier League supremo Dave Richards has hailed England boss Fabio Capello.

Usually at loggerheads with the FA, Richards has given Capello's appointment the thumbs up.

Richards told The Sun: "The chances of us going to South Africa and really competing at the highest level have to be the best they've been in years.

"Everything Fabio does and everything about him has been great - from getting up in the morning to going to bed at night. The man is terrific.

"I saw Jose Mourinho work and I thought he was different.

But Capello has got something that little bit special because he has a certain air about him and he doesn't have to force players into doing things.

"They do it for him. That is different. I've never seen it before and I've been around for a lot of years with England. He is able to command respect in an automatic way.

"The opportunity is there for the current players to become football legends and Fabio will make a terrific difference."