Carragher defends Capello's World Cup tactics

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has defended Fabio Capello after the England coach’s tactics and approach at the World Cup came in for more criticism.

The Italian attributed the last-16 exit to tiredness and the mindset of the players, although he admitted he is unsure how to fix the problems.

Carragher, who retired from international football for a second time having come back to play for Capello at the World Cup, defended the national team boss, however.

"I would never criticise Fabio because he has done too much in the game and if he stopped being a manager tomorrow he would go down in history as one of the great managers," said the 32-year-old.

"I always find it hard when players criticise managers because we've never been managers ourselves.

"We all realise what comes with playing for England - it's massive - and when something goes wrong everyone jumps on it.

"Obviously the World Cup didn't go well but the players have to look at themselves and say we didn't perform as we can."

Carragher, whose club-mates Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson have been retained in a new-look squad for Wednesday's friendly against Hungary, said he felt Capello was justified in keeping some of the big names like John Terry and Frank Lampard.

"There are still five or six top players we have got," he said.

"They get a lot of criticism but they are some of the top players in the world and that is why they are still there."

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