London, Dec.15: New England coach Fabio Capello’s dad was a Italian war hero and a fan of the England football team.

Surviving the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, Guerrino Capello instilled in his son the need to work hard, learn well and never to be afraid of anything.

But most of all, he taught his boy the importance, even in the toughest of circumstances, of being happy.

The former AC Milan boss’s lawyer son, Pier Fillipo, met FA chiefs in London yesterday to tie up the final details of his dad's contract.

Fabio’s sister Bianco Soprano, 66, said last night: “Dad would always say England was one of the best footballing nations in the world.