WE all wanted to hear what Fabio Capello had to say, 24 hours after the country’s heaviest World Cup defeat in history.

And after admitting two questions into the press conference that he had been told by Sir Dave Richards that he would be left sweating on his job for a fortnight, presumably while the raft of negative headlines subside, I had high hopes that the Italian coach would finally come clean with exactly why the Three Lions had failed to roar in South Africa.

But what else did we get? An admission of tactical failure? Nope. Did Capello hold up his hands and concede that taking a half-fit Ledley King was a mistake? Nope.

Even a side-swipe at the celebrity culture that seemed to have rocked the boat long before Thomas Mueller and Co sunk it completely? No sir-ee.

The best the England boss could manage was that the players were tired.

Tell me one we haven’t heard before, Fabio.

It seems the only time we hear about the massive number of games our players compete in is when things go pear-shaped.

Besides which, his claim falls down when you consider that the likes of Lionel Messi, Maicon, Jesus Navas, Xavi, Dani Alves, Philip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all played as many, if not more club games than any outfield player in the England squad this season – and they’re not doing bad, are they?

Alongside the video evidence argument sparked by Frank Lampard’s goal that never was, it seemed we’ve slipped immediately into excuse making mode.

When France crashed out at the group stage, the country’s Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy demanded an audience with Thierry Henry to thrash out what went wrong.

Now I’m not suggesting that David Cameron quiz Wayne Rooney on his patchy displays – although what magnificent television that would make – but I’d hope that this disaster is going to trigger a major inquiry.

It will start at the top when Capello’s future is decided. The bulldog Englishman in me is barking “kick him out.’”

But on further reflection, I honestly can’t think of a single candidate, from this country at least, who would be better in the job.

And that is a truly depressing thought.